Nice, June 10, 2025 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính held a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice on June 9 (local time), reaffirming both countries’ commitment to further advancing their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Chính highlighted that President Macron’s recent state visit to Vietnam had injected fresh momentum into bilateral ties, laying a strong foundation for future cooperation. He congratulated France on its recent achievements under Macron’s leadership, particularly the successful organisation of UNOC3, underscoring Vietnam’s support for France’s role as host country. This support was reflected in Vietnam’s approval of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) at the conference.
President Macron, in turn, expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Chính’s presence and insightful speech at UNOC3. He voiced confidence that the Vietnamese leader’s visit would help translate the outcomes of Macron’s visit to Hnoi into concrete actions.
The two leaders affirmed their determination to reinforce Việt Nam–France relations, with each country serving as a gateway to the other’s region — Việt Nam in Asia and France in Europe. They agreed to intensify high-level delegation exchanges and to review and implement existing bilateral cooperation agreements to further consolidate political trust.
On economic collaboration, Prime Minister Chính stressed the importance of “three diversifications” — of markets, supply chains, and products — in light of global economic challenges. He urged France to work closely with Việt Nam to expand trade and market access in both directions.
Chính also called on France to support the swift ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and to advocate for the European Commission (EC) to lift the “yellow card” warning currently imposed on Vietnamese seafood exports.
The leaders agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation in security, energy transition, and climate change adaptation. They discussed expanding joint projects in these areas, aiming to bolster resilience and sustainable development.
To promote science and technology as a new pillar of bilateral cooperation, Prime Minister Chính stressed the importance of effectively implementing the existing intergovernmental agreement on scientific and technological cooperation and innovation. He proposed that France assist Việt Nam in building capacity in strategic sectors such as aerospace, satellite technology, energy and biotechnology, digital economy, semiconductors, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence (AI).
President Macron welcomed the proposal and expressed France’s readiness to become one of Việt Nam’s leading partners in AI development, with an emphasis on transparency, fairness, and sustainability.
In the field of healthcare, both leaders underscored the vital role of French medicine in Việt Nam’s medical development and agreed to broaden medical collaboration, aiming to position Việt Nam as a regional model for the application of French medical technology in Southeast Asia.
Prime Minister Chính pledged to closely direct Vietnamese ministries and agencies to thoroughly and effectively implement the high-level agreements between the two countries. He also called on President Macron to instruct relevant French agencies to work in close coordination with their Vietnamese counterparts to promote multifaceted cooperation with measurable outcomes.
The two leaders also exchanged views on key international and regional issues, agreeing to strengthen coordination in expanding cooperation with regions including Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
They reiterated their shared commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea (South China Sea), in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Both sides emphasized enhancing maritime cooperation, including maritime economy development, maritime security, coastal protection, and marine environmental conservation.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Chính invited France to send a high-level delegation to Hanoi to attend the signing ceremony of the UN Convention on Anti-Cybercrime, scheduled for October this year.
