Vietnam, France sign energy, mineral cooperation deals

Vietnamese and French agencies signed two cooperation documents in energy and minerals in Paris on Tuesday (local time).

The signing was witnessed by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his French counterpart Francois Bayrou, following bilateral talks held earlier the same day.

One of the documents was an MoU between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and France’s Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission.

The other was a tripartite cooperation agreement on sustainable mineral resource management and enhanced geological knowledge for energy transition, signed by Vietnam’s Department of Geology and Minerals, France’s Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM), and the French Development Agency (AFD).

At the talks, PM Chinh reaffirmed that France is one of Vietnam’s key partners in its foreign policy toward Europe in general and the European Union (EU) in particular.

The leader said his ongoing visit underscores Vietnam’s strong commitment to translating the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with France into concrete action.

The Prime Minister emphasized the strong potential for expanded bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas where France holds strengths and Vietnam has demand, such as aerospace, urban transport, nuclear energy, and manufacturing technologies.

This will serve as a “catalyst” aligned with Vietnam’s development orientation and investment attraction strategy in the new era, he stressed.

In reply, Prime Minister Bayrou reaffirmed that France attaches great importance to strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in both traditional and emerging sectors, in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The two sides underscored the importance of continuously strengthening political trust through delegation exchanges and engagements at all levels, particularly high-level contacts, and across various channels.

They also consented to explore new cooperation mechanisms to concretize and deepen sector-specific collaboration. Defense and security cooperation was reaffirmed as a key pillar of the bilateral relationship.

On trade and investment cooperation, both sides affirmed their determination to create breakthroughs by leveraging shared commitments to free trade, opening markets to each other, reducing reliance on third parties, and maintaining the stability of global supply chains.

Chinh urged France to swiftly ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and closely coordinate with Vietnam to continue effectively implementing and capitalizing on the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

He called on French investors to form joint ventures with Vietnamese companies to develop strategic, high-impact industries and services, such as automotive manufacturing and logistics.

The two leaders concurred to bolster trade and investment cooperation in a more substantive, efficient, equitable, and sustainable manner. They pledged to create breakthroughs in science and technology collaboration - a new pillar of the bilateral relationship - including in space science and nuclear energy.

The two countries will also expand cooperation in strategic infrastructure and deepen and revitalize traditional areas of partnership.

The two exchanged views on international and regional issues of shared concern, expressing a common stance on upholding international solidarity, working together to address global challenges, and resolving differences through peaceful means and with respect for the rule of law.

Positioning science-technology as new cooperation pillar

During a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) in Nice on Monday, Prime Minister Chinh also suggested France closely coordinate with Vietnam in promoting bilateral trade and further opening their markets to each other, particularly amid ongoing global economic uncertainty.

Chinh called on France to continue its support and expedite necessary procedures for the ratification of the EVIPA, while urging the European Commission to lift its IUU “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood exports related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU).

The two leaders agreed on the need to enhance collaboration in security and energy transition and further expand joint climate projects.

To fully leverage science and technology as a new pillar of bilateral partnership, the Prime Minister called on France to support Vietnam in strengthening its capabilities across strategic sectors such as aerospace, satellite technology, energy technology, biotechnology, digital industry, semiconductors, quantum technology, digital infrastructure, and digital economy.

On artificial intelligence, President Macron agreed with Prime Minister Chinh’s proposal for France to become one of Vietnam’s leading partners in the field.

Both sides highlighted the important role of French medicine in the development of the Vietnamese healthcare sector and agreed to strengthen bilateral medical cooperation, aiming to position Vietnam as a model for the application of French medical technology in Southeast Asia.