Hanoi, April 18, 2025 — The Europe Today: Party General Secretary Tô Lâm has called on France, a pivotal and influential member of the European Union (EU), to strengthen its role in enhancing Vietnam–EU relations, thereby contributing to regional and global peace, stability, and sustainable development.
During a meeting in Hanoi on Thursday with French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet, General Secretary Lâm underscored the significance of France being the first EU member to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, describing it as a reflection of both nations’ enduring friendship and expanding cooperation.
He expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in bilateral trade and investment, which he identified as foundational pillars of the partnership. The Party leader also called for continued efforts to safeguard the multilateral trading system, promote bilateral trade, and further open markets between the two sides.
Welcoming Ambassador Brochet’s initiatives to effectively utilize the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Lâm voiced strong support for cooperation in promising sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, renewable energy, science and technology, innovation, aerospace, and workforce development. He further encouraged closer ties in health care, cultural exchange, heritage preservation, museum curation, historical memory, and archiving.
Ambassador Brochet reaffirmed France’s commitment to working closely with Việt Nam, citing the growing frequency of high-level visits and the expansion of cooperation mechanisms across a range of areas. He emphasized Việt Nam’s role as a priority partner for France in the Asia-Pacific and welcomed efforts to deepen the bilateral relationship within the newly established strategic framework.
Agreeing with the importance of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), Ambassador Brochet pledged to advocate for its swift ratification by the French National Assembly. He also reaffirmed France’s support for the removal of the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood exports.
Both sides committed to enhancing cooperation at multilateral forums and international organizations, reaffirming a shared dedication to multilateralism, adherence to international law, and collaborative solutions to global challenges.
On the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) issue, Ambassador Brochet reiterated France and the EU’s support for Vietnam and ASEAN’s stance on the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law—particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He underscored the importance of safeguarding peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.
