Strengthening political and people-to-people relations between Vietnam and France

Within the framework of the 2024 foreign affairs activities of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Mr. Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, led a delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam to visit and work in France from June 30 to July 2.

During their stay in France, the delegation laid flowers at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh and visited the Living History Museum in Montreau Park, Montreuil city; had meetings and worked with Politburo member of the French Communist Party (PCF) Taylan Coskun, Head of the PCF Foreign Affairs Committee Vincent Boulet; President of the Council for Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs (CESE) Thierry Beaudet and leaders of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV).

The delegation also met with representatives of the Vietnamese community and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in France.

At the working sessions, Mr. Do Van Chien emphasized that the purpose of the visit of the delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam is to contribute to further strengthening the Vietnam-France Strategic Partnership, consolidating and promoting relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and political parties in France, cooperation between the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the French Council for Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs (CESE), promoting people-to-people diplomacy and mobilizing Vietnamese people abroad.

Talking with the leaders of PCF and CESE, Mr. Do Van Chien shared his joy at seeing the Vietnam-France Strategic Partnership develop well in all fields in recent years, in which the traditional historical relationship and deep attachment between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Communist Party of France, and between the people of the two countries have been constantly nurtured; the cooperation between the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council has become increasingly practical and effective.

The French partners welcomed and highly appreciated the delegation's visit and work; affirming that the visit contributed to consolidating and deepening the relationship between Vietnam and France after more than 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic partnership.

The host side expressed its impression and admiration for Vietnam's achievements in socio-economic development, as well as in expanding and deepening foreign relations; affirmed that the two countries still have much room to develop deeper and more substantive relations; shared many of Vietnam's views on economic growth always going hand in hand with social progress and environmental protection, taking people as the center of socio-economic development policies; upholding international law, supporting the settlement of disputes by peaceful means; recognizing the positive contributions of the Vietnamese community in France to the prosperity of France as well as the France-Vietnam relationship.

The two sides discussed and agreed on a number of measures to strengthen cooperation on the Party and people-to-people diplomacy channels, especially cooperation between the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council.

With the desire to promote people-to-people diplomacy and mobilize Vietnamese people abroad, Mr. Do Van Chien had a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in France.

After listening to the report of Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang on the development history, characteristics and current situation of the Vietnamese community in France, as well as the opinions shared by representatives of associations, the President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front affirmed that overseas Vietnamese in France and around the world are always an important and inseparable part of the nation, highly appreciated and praised the enthusiasm, responsibility and desire to contribute to the homeland of overseas Vietnamese in France; expressed the hope that overseas Vietnamese will continue to promote the spirit of solidarity, preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural values ​​in France, integrate well with the local community, continue to make positive contributions to the cause of national construction and development and foster the relationship between Vietnam and France.

Mr. Do Van Chien also acknowledged the recommendations and proposals of overseas Vietnamese on the work of the Vietnam Fatherland Front as well as policies and work towards overseas Vietnamese, especially in preserving traditions, culture and Vietnamese language among the younger generations, further strengthening the connection between overseas Vietnamese children and their homeland, creating conditions for overseas Vietnamese intellectuals to contribute to the development of the country, as well as the relationship between France and Vietnam.

On this occasion, Mr. Do Van Chien also informed overseas Vietnamese and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in France about the achievements that Vietnam has achieved after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi, the current socio-economic development situation of Vietnam, Party building work, foreign policy, the Party and State's policies towards overseas Vietnamese, the activities of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and preparations for the 10th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

Before leaving to successfully conclude his visit and work in France, on the morning of July 2, Mr. Do Van Chien visited and worked at the headquarters of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV).

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, the AAFV leaders informed the Vietnamese delegation about the charity activities and cooperation projects that have been and are being carried out in Vietnam, reflected on the advantages and difficulties in the operation of the Association and expressed the wish that the Fatherland Front leaders would create favorable conditions for the AAFV activities to continue to be implemented effectively in the coming time.

Touched by the sincere and warm welcome of the AAFV members, Mr. Do Van Chien sent special greetings to his loyal French friends and expressed the gratitude of the country and people of Vietnam for the consistent affection and support that generations of leaders and members of AAFV have always given to the country and people of Vietnam in the past wars of national independence as well as in the current cause of national construction and development.

Appreciating the activities of the AAFV, Mr. Do Van Chien hopes to continue receiving support from members in solidarity and friendship activities with Vietnamese people, promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam to French friends, supporting Vietnamese Agent Orange victims and Ms. Tran To Nga in the legal battle against American chemical companies that provided herbicides for the US military to use during the Vietnam War, helping the Vietnamese community in France integrate well into the host country, sharing Vietnam's views on the international arena, contributing to strengthening the cooperative relationship between the two countries, the friendship between the two peoples for peace and common prosperity of the country and people of France and Vietnam in the coming time./.