According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, on October 7, local time, in Paris, France, within the framework of an official visit to the French Republic, General Secretary and President To Lam had meetings with President of the National Assembly Yael Braun - Pivet and President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher.
At the meeting with National Assembly Chairwoman Yael Braun-Pivet, General Secretary and President To Lam proposed that the French National Assembly soon complete the ratification of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to facilitate investors from the two countries as well as the EU; support the European Committee (EC) to soon remove the "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood to ensure the livelihoods of thousands of Vietnamese fishermen and meet the needs of French consumers.
The President of the French National Assembly acknowledged the proposals of the General Secretary and President; highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts in transforming sustainable fisheries and acknowledged the EU's efforts to soon remove the IUU yellow card.
As Vietnam's JETP partner, the President of the French National Assembly pledged to continue supporting Vietnam in its efforts to adapt to climate change, especially in terms of finance, technology, human resource training, and policy development during the implementation of the Energy Transition Partnership, contributing to responding to global challenges.
At a meeting with President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher, General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his delight at the decision of Vietnam and France to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, demonstrating the political determination of the leaders and meeting the expectations of the people of the two countries.
The President of the Senate was pleased to share that French Senators all have special and long-lasting feelings for Vietnam and wish to promote the Vietnam - France relationship to develop further.
The Senate Chairman agreed with the proposals of the General Secretary and President on promoting cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries, especially increasing the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level delegations; closely coordinating and supporting each other at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums such as IPU, ASEP, APF, etc., contributing to deepening the relationship between the two countries, making it more practical and effective.
General Secretary and President To Lam highly appreciated the active role of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians' Group in the Senate and the Vietnam-France Friendship Parliamentarians' Group, which are bridges bringing the two legislative bodies and people of the two countries closer together.
General Secretary and President To Lam was pleased to announce that the elevated section of the Nhon - Hanoi Railway Station Urban Railway has been put into commercial operation. In order to strengthen economic, trade and investment cooperation, General Secretary and President To Lam asked the French Parliament to soon ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and support the European Committee (EC) to soon remove the "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood.
For his part, the President of the French Senate affirmed that the EVFTA and EVIPA are important driving forces to promote economic and trade relations between the two sides; highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts in transforming sustainable fisheries.
The two sides assessed that agriculture and climate change are intertwined and complementary fields, with much room for increased cooperation, especially as France is Vietnam's JETP partner.
General Secretary and President To Lam asked France to support Vietnam in adapting to climate change, especially in technology, human resource training, institutional and policy building in the energy transition process and implementing Vietnam's international commitments on climate change response.
