Vietnam - France issued a joint statement on the East Sea issue.

On the occasion of the visit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation to the French Republic, the two sides issued a joint statement. Below is the full text of the joint statement:

1- At the invitation of President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong paid an official visit to the French Republic from March 25-27, 2018. High-level exchanges addressed major international and regional issues, as well as progress in bilateral relations, with the year 2018 marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 5 years of strategic partnership.

2- The two sides reaffirmed the central role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security as well as promoting prosperity and sustainable development. The two sides reaffirmed their respect for the United Nations Charter and their commitment to respect each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political systems. The two sides agreed to pursue joint efforts to promote the development of a multipolar world and multilateralism based on mutual respect, equality, justice and cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit. The two sides stressed the importance of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and in accordance with international commitments to which both sides are signatories, for the development of each country. Vietnam and France reiterated their respect for the goals and principles pursued by the United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

3- The two sides emphasized their commitment to facilitating trade and investment liberalization and facilitation; and attached importance to the role of the World Trade Organization. The two sides expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation to improve global governance mechanisms and promote sustainable growth.

4- The two sides reaffirmed that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, is one of the most serious challenges to peace and security and that all acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable. The two sides expressed support for the efforts of the international community in combating terrorism.

5- The two sides stressed the fundamental importance of the relationship between ASEAN and the European Union (EU) and welcomed the outcomes of the Summit to mark the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations. They supported efforts towards upgrading ASEAN-EU relations to a strategic partnership and encouraged the EU's increasingly active participation in strategic structures led by ASEAN. They expressed their desire to soon sign and ratify the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union in 2018 and put the Agreement into effect quickly and effectively. The two sides believed that this Agreement, together with the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA), would create new prospects to deepen existing dialogue mechanisms. The two sides stressed that the Free Trade Agreement would play a driving role in deepening the relationship between France and the European Union with ASEAN countries. The two sides agreed to strengthen the Vietnam-EU partnership on political and security issues, including in the field of maritime security.

6- Vietnam and France wish to strengthen cooperation and dialogue to actively contribute to promoting connectivity in Southeast Asia to facilitate exchanges between Europe and Asia and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The two sides welcomed connectivity activities within the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and stressed the importance of continuing economic projects based on the principles of fair competition, transparency, economic, financial, environmental and social sustainability, taking into account the principles, goals and objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

7- The two sides welcomed ASEAN's role in peacefully promoting international maritime cooperation. They stressed the importance of fully respecting the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as peacefully resolving disputes, not using force or threatening to use force. They affirmed the importance of maintaining security and freedom of navigation and overflight in all seas and oceans, and respecting the principles of international law. They also affirmed their support for ASEAN and China's efforts to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reach a substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.

8. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. They noted recent developments that have contributed to the reduction of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. They called for the full implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and reiterated their support for a diplomatic process to promote the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Vietnam and France will continue their efforts to protect the international non-proliferation regime based on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

9- The two sides welcomed the exemplary development of the bilateral relationship over the past 45 years and stressed the desire to develop and deepen all areas of the strategic partnership signed in 2013 between Vietnam and France. The two sides reaffirmed their determination to strengthen cooperation in all areas: politics, diplomacy, defense, security, economy, trade, investment, climate change response, sustainable development, science and technology, education and training, French language, law and justice, health, local cooperation, people-to-people exchange, culture, tourism.

10- The two leaders agreed to increase high-level exchanges and contacts. Both sides welcomed the General Secretary's visit to France and subsequent high-level bilateral meetings and exchanges in 2018. Both sides welcomed the results of the annual High-Level Economic Dialogue on Economics and the Defense Policy Dialogue held in January 2018 in Vietnam. Both sides agreed to regularly maintain bilateral mechanisms and expand consultation mechanisms, including the Deputy Ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense. Both sides welcomed the increased cooperation between the parliamentary bodies of the two countries.

11- The two sides affirmed their desire to deepen defense cooperation within the strategic partnership. In that spirit, they agreed to strengthen strategic dialogue and defense cooperation, continue cooperation in officer training, especially in the fields of French language learning, basic and advanced training and peacekeeping operations. The two sides pledged to strengthen cooperation in the field of defense equipment based on the needs and capabilities of each side and reaffirmed their desire to promote exchanges on maritime and aviation security as well as military medicine. The two sides welcomed the courtesy visits or technical stops by French military ships in Vietnam and welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent on the signing of the Declaration on the Joint Vision for Defense Cooperation for the 2018-2020 period and welcomed the extension of the Agreement in the field of hydrography, oceanography and marine cartography.

12- The two sides committed to promoting the effective implementation of bilateral agreements on extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters when these agreements come into force. The two sides welcomed cooperation programs to address the challenge of organized crime in the rapidly evolving regional and international security environment.

13- The two sides expressed their determination to strengthen economic, trade and investment cooperation and continue efforts to promote the two countries' businesses to penetrate each other's markets. The two sides reaffirmed their desire to strengthen long-term economic and industrial partnerships, especially in the fields of infrastructure, transport, energy and space. The two sides particularly welcomed exemplary cooperation in the aviation sector, demonstrated by the signing of new contracts between Tre Viet Airlines and Airbus, between Vietnam Airlines and Air France Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company, as well as the joint venture contract between Vietnam Airlines and Air France. The two sides agreed to support appropriate solutions to accelerate the completion of the pilot urban railway project in Hanoi, the Nhon - Hanoi Railway Station section.

14- The two sides wish to promote cooperation in the fields of agriculture and fishing, respecting international standards recognized by Vietnam and France, especially in: preventing natural disasters and the effects of climate change along with the development of an adaptive agriculture based on agro-ecology and biological agriculture; strengthening cooperation in applied research and development of agriculture, especially biological agriculture and transfer of inventions; promoting sustainable and responsible fishing, especially along with the construction of infrastructure in the field of fishing, training in monitoring production processes and traceability of aquatic products; plant and animal genetics, especially pigs and dairy cows; developing distribution channels for agricultural products through the development of a wholesale market system. The two sides emphasized the importance of the projects being carried out in Vietnam by the French International Cooperation Center for Agronomic Research for Development.

15- The two sides reaffirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation on the environment and climate change response. Vietnam welcomed the One Planet Summit in December 2017 in Paris, which Vietnam participated in. France welcomed Vietnam's plan to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change for the period 2016-2030. The two sides agreed that the Talanoa dialogue is an appropriate mechanism to assess and consolidate climate targets to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The two sides agreed to support negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IOM) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to limit greenhouse gas emissions from civil aviation and maritime transport. Vietnam and France wish to continue constructive dialogue in the development of a global environmental treaty. Vietnam and France reaffirmed their determination to promote sustainable growth and continue cooperation to effectively implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

16- The two sides acknowledged the key role of cities and territories in responding to climate change and committed to enhancing expert exchanges at both central and local levels to promote the rational use of resources and energy and the provision of adequate and sustainable urban services to the people, especially in the fields of transport, housing, water and environmental sanitation.

17- Through the activities of the French Development Agency (AFD), France is committed to continuing to support Vietnam in achieving low-carbon and sustainable growth. The two sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam and AFD to strengthen cooperation on green growth and response to natural disasters and climate change, in particular through the development of the Gemmes Vietnam program and the preparation of the draft law on climate change.

18- The two sides welcomed the long-term partnership between AFD and the competent authorities of Vietnam in the field of development cooperation; encouraged continued efforts to facilitate new programs and projects in line with Vietnam's priorities. In this spirit, the two sides welcomed priority projects to combat coastal erosion and develop response infrastructure for the four coastal provinces of the North Central region. The two sides agreed to effectively implement the projects by accelerating the disbursement of French development cooperation financial assistance and improving project management capacity. The two sides welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam and AFD to strengthen cooperation on the basis of a new vision of a long-term strategic partnership.

19- The two sides emphasized the importance of research in the field of development cooperation and welcomed the role of the French Institute for Development Research (IRD) in this field. The two sides welcomed the signing of the Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and IRD.

20-The two sides emphasized the priority of cooperation in science and technology and agreed to regularly exchange national policies of the two countries in the fields of science and technology, research and innovation. Based on the Letter of Intent signed on September 5, 2016 between the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of France, the two sides reaffirmed their desire to build a new cooperation framework in the field of science and technology in line with common interests. The two sides welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam, Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, and the French National Institute of Industrial Property.

21- The two sides affirmed their desire to promote the use of French in Vietnam and in the Francophone space as a whole, especially through the International Organization of the Francophone (OIF) and Francophone agencies, especially the Francophone University Agency. Promoting the teaching of French and in French in Vietnam, especially in bilingual classes, as well as the teaching of Vietnamese in France will create many favorable conditions, including students studying in the two countries; promoting cooperation in all fields, including culture and economy, and contributing to enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The two sides welcomed the signing of a cooperation document on French and Francophone.

22- Vietnam and France reaffirmed the fundamental and priority nature of youth exchanges between the two countries for the future development of bilateral relations. In this spirit, the two sides pledged to continue creating conditions for students to study in the two countries. The two sides welcomed the opening of the new campus of the Alexandre Yersin School in Hanoi in the coming time. The French side thanked Vietnam for its continuous support for this symbolic project that prioritizes youth, as well as for the expansion project of the Maguerite Duras School in Ho Chi Minh City.

23- The two sides emphasized the exemplary nature of cooperation in the field of university teaching and research. They supported the project to develop the Franco-Vietnamese Center for Training and Management (CFVG) into a European Management University and welcomed negotiations to renew the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Hanoi University of Science and Technology. They welcomed the strengthening of cooperation in the field of vocational training along with the modernization of high-quality training centers in Vietnam and the project to develop the University of Transport Technology (UTT), especially the establishment of an Institute of University Technology (IUT).

24- The two sides welcomed cooperation in the legal and judicial fields and pledged to make efforts to implement the cooperation program for the period 2018-2019 between the two Ministries of Justice. The two sides welcomed the signing of cooperation programs between the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice and the French Supreme Council of Notaries, as well as the French National Council of Bailiffs.

25- The two sides welcomed the good cooperation in the field of health and pharmaceutical research and welcomed the Agreement on HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis between the Ministry of Health of Vietnam and the French National Agency for HIV and Viral Hepatitis Research (ANRS) signed on January 18, 2018 in Hanoi. The two sides committed to continue exchanges in the field of doctor training and promote investment cooperation in the pharmaceutical field. The two sides welcomed the opening of the French Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City, which brings together all elements of French-Vietnamese cooperation in the health field, including the International Medical Clinic. The two sides affirmed their desire to strengthen the partnership and re-sign the medical cooperation agreement between the two Ministries of Health of the two countries.

26- The two leaders considered local cooperation as a pillar of bilateral cooperation, contributing to strengthening the connection and solidarity between the two countries and peoples. Following the success of the 10th Conference on Local Cooperation held in Can Tho in September 2016, the two sides welcomed the organization of the 11th Conference in Toulouse in 2019 to set out major orientations to strengthen local cooperation in the spirit of equality and mutual benefit.

27- The two sides considered cultural exchange a key area in France-Vietnam cooperation, contributing to increasing mutual understanding and strengthening solidarity between the two peoples. The two sides welcomed the renovation of the Vietnam Cultural Center in Paris after 10 years of operation, as well as the establishment of the French House in Ho Chi Minh City and affirmed their support for initiatives to promote Vietnamese culture in France. The two sides emphasized the importance of the activities of the French School of the Far East (EFEO), which benefit bilateral cultural relations.

28- The two sides reaffirmed their desire to increase the number of tourists between the two countries. The two sides welcomed the signing of a letter of intent on tourism cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France. France affirmed its support for the Vietnam House project of the Vietnamese Tourism Ambassador in France.

29- The two sides believe that the visit will mark a new stage in strengthening the Vietnam-France strategic partnership. The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam invited the President of the French Republic to visit Vietnam. President Macron accepted the invitation./.