French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean Francois Blarel has reiterated his country's programme to “invest in young Vietnamese” with many scholarships for local students in 2006.

The diplomat made the statement signed at a press briefing held in Hanoi on July 11 on the occasion of the French Independence Day (July 14).

Under a framework agreement between the Vietnamese and French governments in 2004, France committed 3 million EUR to setting up two high-quality training centres in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The French Ambassador also pledged France's support for Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).