On the occasion of attending the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, on June 9 local time, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The two leaders expressed their determination to develop bilateral relations more strongly, becoming pillars for each other in each Asia- Europe region.
The two sides agreed to increase delegation exchanges at all levels, especially at high levels, to continuously strengthen political trust, review and promote cooperation agreements.
Regarding economy - trade - investment, the Prime Minister emphasized the spirit of "3 diversifications": Diversify markets, diversify supply chains and diversify products; suggested that France closely coordinate with Vietnam in promoting bilateral trade and further opening markets for each other, especially in the context of many complicated developments in the world economy.
The Prime Minister also suggested that the French side continue to pay attention and soon approve the processes and procedures for completing the ratification of the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and urging the European Commission to soon remove the IUU "yellow card" for Vietnamese seafood.
To effectively promote the role of a new pillar of cooperation in science and technology in the overall Vietnam - France relationship, the Prime Minister said that the two countries need to effectively implement the Intergovernmental Agreement on cooperation in science, technology and innovation; proposed that France support Vietnam in capacity building in strategic areas such as aerospace, satellites, energy technology, biotechnology, digital technology industry, semiconductor technology, quantum technology, digital infrastructure development, digital economy.
Regarding artificial intelligence, President Macron agreed with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's proposal to want France to become one of the leading partners in this field, aiming to ensure the development of artificial intelligence in a transparent, fair and sustainable manner.
The two sides emphasized the role of French medicine in Vietnamese medicine; agreed to promote medical cooperation between the two countries, making Vietnam a model of French medical technology application in Southeast Asia.
The two leaders also discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern, emphasizing their commitment to support the maintenance of peace, stability, freedom of aviation and maritime in the East Sea in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.
The two sides also agreed that it is necessary to strengthen maritime cooperation, including promoting marine economic development, marine security, coastal protection and the marine environment.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh invited France to send a high-ranking delegation to Hanoi to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi in October 2025.
