Minister of Defence General Phan Van Giang welcomes French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu. Photo: Phu Son

At the talks, Minister Giang highlighted the significance of Minister Sébastien Lecornu's visit as a contribution to further enhancing bilateral defense cooperation and expressed Vietnam’s appreciation for the Strategic Partnership with France.

According to Minister Giang, the Vietnam-France Strategic Partnership has been developing unceasingly both in depth and scope, diversifying across multiple fields, including defense cooperation.

Minister Giang suggested both sides step up delegation exchange, dialogue and consultation mechanisms, training, defense industry, military medicine, sharing historical archives, overcoming war consequences, United Nations peacekeeping efforts, consulting and supporting each other at multilateral forums and mechanisms. Both sides need to actively discuss to soon reach an agreement on the Vietnam-France Defense Cooperation Program for the 2025-2208 period.

The two ministers review the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People's Army. Photo: Phu Son

The French defense minister emphasized the importance of cooperation in sharing historical memories and overcoming war consequences between the two countries. He expressed his desire for both sides to continue to make greater efforts to deepen defense ties to a level commensurate with the Vietnam-France Strategic Partnership.

Discussing regional and global issues of shared concern, both sides laid stress on the importance of peace, security, stability, freedom of navigation, overflight and settlement of disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law.

At the end of the talks, the two military officials signed a Letter of Intent to augment Vietnam-France defense cooperation.