Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and  French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot (Photo: VOV)

At their meeting on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), Son praised the sound development of Vietnam-France relations. Commending France's meticulous preparations for UNOC3, Son reaffirmed Vietnam's support for French initiatives in addressing current non-traditional security challenges and contributing to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

The two officials discussed issues of mutual concern, stressing the essential role of multilateralism with the UN at the center. They agreed that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) is a comprehensive legal framework for all maritime and oceanic activities and cooperation, and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.