Defence Minister receives French Ambassador to Vietnam
Vietnam always attaches importance to developing relations with France, and defence cooperation is one of the important pillars in the Vietnam - France strategic partnership, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang told French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet at a meeting in Hanoi in November 23.
Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang (R) and French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) -Vietnam always attaches importance to developing relations with France, and defence cooperation is one of the important pillars in the Vietnam - France strategic partnership, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang told French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet at a meeting in Hanoi in November 23.
During the reception for the French diplomat, Minister Giang affirmed that the defence cooperation between the two countries has been developed in accordance with the Vietnam - France defence cooperation agreement and the Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam - France defence cooperation for 2018 - 2028.
He said the bilateral cooperation has produced positive results in the exchange of delegations, the effective operation of the strategic defence dialogue and cooperation mechanism, training, UN peacekeeping, military medicine, hydrometrics, and coordination and support at multilateral forums.
The minister proposed that the two sides continue strengthening cooperation, focusing on meetings at all levels; completing legal frameworks for training cooperation; effectively deploying signed specialised cooperation agreements; overcoming post-war consequences; expand cooperation to new areas where both sides have potential and demands; and coordinating and supporting each other at multilateral forums.
For his part, Ambassador Brochet highly valued Vietnam's role in the region, especially in ASEAN.
He expressed his good impression of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's recent talk on the phone with French President Emmanuel Macron, saying that the talk demonstrated the wish of the two countries’ leaders to strengthen cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples, and for peace, cooperation and development in the region. region and the world.
The French diplomat said as a member country of the European Union (EU), France will raise its voice to urge EU countries to enhance cooperation with ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam.
France will continue to support Vietnam in UN peacekeeping activities, he said, adding that France is also ready to provide French language training courses for Vietnamese staff participating in UN peacekeeping activities when they take up duties in French-speaking countries. /.
“Cay Linden mua xanh la” (Linden tree in green season), a 50-minute documentary film that has been aired on the Vietnam Television (VTV), has received great attention from the Vietnamese community in France thanks to its success in highlighting the friendship between people of Vietnam and the European country.
Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang and trade and investment representatives of Vietnam in the European country had a meeting with leaders of the French employers' association in Corsica region (MEDEF Corsica) in Ajaccio city and attended a seminar with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Corsica in Bastia city during their trip to the island from October 23-25.
The programme Vietnam Days in France 2023 is underway in the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in Paris from November 8-9 as part of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties and 10 years of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Vietnam and France will give priority to the collaboration in climate change response and the maintenance of biodiversity towards sustainable development, heard a recent working session between Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and newly-accredited Ambassador to Vietnam Oliver Brochet.
Over the past 50 years, since Vietnam and France established their diplomatic relations, cultural cooperation has contributed to creating favourable conditions to promote their cooperation in various fields, strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said on November 17 when meeting French Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak in Paris.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang (R) and French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet. (Photo: VNA) 
