Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung held a phone call with the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Noel Barrot. (Photo: VNA)

During a phone call on Tuesday with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister Le Hoai Trung proposed that both sides further tap the full potential of economic, trade, and investment cooperation, and expressed hope that France would soon ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Mr. Trung called on France to support efforts within the European Commission to lift the IUU “yellow card” imposed on Vietnamese seafood, thereby facilitating stronger Vietnam–EU cooperation.

Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed France’s desire to deepen cooperation with Vietnam in strategic sectors such as energy, transport, and aerospace.

Both sides agreed to promote science and technology as a new pillar of bilateral relations, with France supporting Vietnam in enhancing capacity in emerging technologies, including biotechnology, digital industries, semiconductors, quantum technology, and digital infrastructure development.