Vietnamese and French Defence Ministers Hold Talks in Hanoi

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Minister of Defence, General Phan Văn Giang, and French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, convened for bilateral discussions on Sunday in Hà Nội, following a ceremonial welcome for the French delegation at the Ministry of Defence headquarters.

The ministers’ visit to Vietnam coincides with the forthcoming grand ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ victory (May 7, 1954-2024), a historic moment when the Vietnamese army and people triumphed over French colonialism.

Minister Giang underscored the significance of Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s visit, emphasizing its role in fortifying bilateral defence cooperation and fostering a forward-looking approach to development collaboration between the two nations. He reiterated Vietnam’s appreciation for the Strategic Partnership with France, highlighting the enduring strength of the relationship.

Building upon the Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam-France Defence Cooperation for 2018-2028 and the Amended Agreement on Vietnam-France Defence Cooperation, Minister Giang highlighted the positive strides made in various fields of defence cooperation between the two countries. He proposed continued efforts to enhance cooperation areas outlined in the existing agreements and to swiftly finalize the Vietnam-France Defence Cooperation Programme for 2025-2028.

Minister Sébastien Lecornu echoed the importance of the visit, emphasizing the significance of cooperation in sharing historical memories and addressing the legacies of war between Vietnam and France. He expressed his commitment to deepening defence ties in line with the Vietnam-France Strategic Partnership.

During the talks, both ministers exchanged perspectives on regional and international issues of mutual interest. They underscored the importance of peace, security, and stability in maritime domains, emphasizing adherence to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), while advocating for progress towards a meaningful Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

Concluding the discussions, Minister Giang and Minister Sébastien Lecornu signed a Letter of Intent aimed at bolstering Vietnam-France defence cooperation. Additionally, Lieutenant General Hoàng Xuân Chiến, Deputy Minister of Defence, engaged in talks with Patricia Miralles, French Minister Delegate for Remembrance and Veterans, focusing on initiatives such as historical education materials compilation, information exchange, and joint workshops on historical topics, underscoring the commitment to preserving shared historical legacies.