During his visit to Nice, France, to attend the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on June 9.

Prime Minister Chinh emphasized that President Macron’s recent visit to Vietnam had brought strong momentum to the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He also affirmed Vietnam’s support for France’s role as host of the UN Ocean Conference, as evidenced by Vietnam’s approval of the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) at the conference.

On economic, trade, and investment matters, Prime Minister Chinh highlighted the principle of the “three diversifications”: market diversification, supply chain diversification, and product diversification. He called on France to cooperate closely with Vietnam in boosting bilateral trade and enhancing market access, especially amid complex global economic developments.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in energy security, green transition, and the expansion of climate change adaptation projects in the near future.

To fully realize science and technology as a new pillar of bilateral relations, Prime Minister Chinh proposed effective implementation of the intergovernmental agreement on science, technology, and innovation cooperation.

He also called on France to help Vietnam improve its capacity in aerospace, satellite technology, energy technology, biotechnology, digital industries, semiconductors, quantum technology, digital infrastructure, and the digital economy.

On artificial intelligence (AI), President Macron welcomed Vietnam’s proposal for France to become a leading partner in ensuring transparent, fair, and sustainable AI development. Both sides stressed the vital role of French medicine in Vietnam and agreed to deepen healthcare cooperation, aiming to make Vietnam a model for applying French medical technology in Southeast Asia.

Prime Minister Chinh also invited France to send a high-level delegation to Hanoi in October to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime.

Vietnam-EU ties to be elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also met with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

EU leaders reaffirmed the bloc’s high regard for relations with Vietnam and expressed their shared desire to upgrade bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Looking ahead, Prime Minister Chinh proposed that both sides prioritize upgrading the Vietnam-EU relationship; continue efforts to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); and urged the European Commission to lift the IUU "yellow card" for Vietnam’s seafood exports.

He also encouraged the EU to deepen relations with Southeast Asia - home to a young, dynamic, and fast-growing population - and offered Vietnam as a bridge to enhance EU-ASEAN cooperation.

EU leaders agreed to accelerate bilateral priorities raised by Prime Minister Chinh and confirmed that more EU member states will soon ratify the EVIPA.

The EU affirmed its current strategic focus on strengthening ties with ASEAN, including Vietnam, and emphasized promoting a multipolar global order and avoiding confrontation. Toward this goal, the EU is hosting a series of summits with countries and regions, including ASEAN.

EU leaders also pledged to arrange official visits to Vietnam soon.

Spain ready to partner with Vietnam on high-speed rail development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The two leaders discussed ways to follow up on the outcomes of Prime Minister Sanchez’s recent visit to Vietnam and deepen the Vietnam-Spain Strategic Partnership through more practical and effective cooperation.

Economic, trade, and investment ties were affirmed as a key pillar of bilateral relations.

The two sides agreed to hold the first session of the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, and Investment Cooperation in 2025 to fully tap the complementarities between the two economies, aiming to raise bilateral trade to over USD 8 billion.

Prime Minister Chinh expressed Vietnam’s interest in sending a delegation to Spain to learn from its experience in developing railway industry infrastructure. He proposed Spanish cooperation in technology transfer and workforce training.

Prime Minister Sanchez affirmed Spain’s readiness to collaborate, noting that Spain currently possesses the world’s second-largest high-speed rail system. He welcomed Vietnam’s delegation to visit and explore further cooperation.

Spain also voiced support for Vietnam’s efforts to enhance its comprehensive partnership with the EU and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Tran Thuong