Milestone in further promoting Vietnam-France relations over five decades

This year marks a special landmark when Vietnam celebrates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with many countries around the world.

This will also be an important milestone for the nation and its friends and partners to develop a new co-operation framework towards achieving a prosperous future.

Following the establishment of diplomatic ties with 193 countries and the establishment of a stable, long-term relationship framework with 30 strategic and comprehensive partners around the world, the nation’s prestige and position are increasingly appreciated, welcomed, and supported by international friends.

Looking back at the past five decades of co-operation with the country, French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Wanery said that France is one of the first Western countries to support Vietnamese reforms and open-door processes. Indeed, the Central European nation is happy to be Vietnam’s partner, particularly as the country notched up many successes on the Doi Moi (Renewal) process.

The two sides have therefore bolstered co-operation across multiple fields, including economics, sustainable development, the environment, higher education, research, health care, governance, and administration.

The two sides still boast great ambitions in co-operation against climate change, security, and defence.

Referring to French support for Vietnam in the field of digital transformation, the French diplomat outlined that his nation is in the process of carrying out its first project with the Government Office and Vietnamese localities.

That is being done in support of Vietnam in building an electronic information portal, simplifying administrative procedures, and operating administrative services smoothly through digital tools. Both nations are currently at the beginning of a very long road of collaboration ahead.

With regard to how the joint relationship will be promoted moving forward following last year France announcing a new Indo-Pacific Strategy on the basis of France's new vision for this region, the Ambassador stated that France has announced the Pacific-Indian Ocean Strategy which features four pillars. These include security - defence; economy - connection - research and Innovation; multilateral co-operation – respect for the law; and combating climate change – biodiversity – sustainable management of seas and oceans.

France has been discussing with partners in the EU on these topics. Indeed, Germany and the EU then also announced their own Indo-Pacific Strategy, with the French Government's interest in this area also increasing, he said.

Vietnam is located in the centre of ASEAN, with the bloc at the centre of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Therefore the nation plays an extremely important geopolitical role in the region.

France also plays an important role in this region as the country has seven territories located in the Pacific and Indian Oceans with 1.7 million inhabitants.

“We also have 7,000 soldiers stationed in the region. That is also the reason why our navy ships often travel back and forth in the area. The two countries have faced plenty of common challenges, which are multilateral relations, making all coastal countries respect international law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the French diplomat said.

In addition, France is ready to help the country to participate in the UN or EU peacekeeping missions in many other regions globally.

 “We have helped the Vietnamese military train on the rules for sending soldiers and officers to participate in peacekeeping missions. We are very excited about the prospect of being able to cooperate with Vietnam in peace protection efforts in this region,” he added.