A VOV correspondent interviewed the Vietnamese ambassador to France, Le Kinh Tai, on the relationship between the two countries.

VOV: Could you assess the current situation in France over the past year?

Mr Tai: In 2009, France suffered in many fields from the impact of the global financial crisis and it has had difficulty dealing with the situation. However, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has introduced many positive initiatives, which helped France’s economy pull itself out of the crisis, however, the economy still faces potential risks.

The country’s economy is now back on track. The second stimulus package worth US$26 billion has produced certain results but still failed to ensure a high level of growth for France in the near future. So, to be sure, the crisis will continue to have an impact on France in 2010.

VOV: Has the global finance crisis impacted on France’s foreign policy?

Mr Tai: France is one of the 5 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and plays a big role in the international arena.

France’s foreign policy remains unchanged as it is keen to promote cooperation with every continent. In recent time, France has focused on the European Union, then the US, Africa and Asia. In Asia, France pays a lot of attention to China, Japan and India, new emerging economies. In Southeast Asia, France considers it important to strengthen its relationship with Vietnam and Indonesia.            

VOV: How have the changes in France affected Vietnam-France relations?

Mr Tai: Of course, they have. France’s policies are focused on accelerating its economy, instead of expanding investment overseas so economic ties between the two countries recently have been limited. However, there are no political conditions attached to economic ties. Both France and Vietnam have done their utmost to escape the crisis and develop their own economies.

The two sides really want to strengthen bilateral relations. Vietnam hopes that French President Nicolas Sarkozy will visit Vietnam soon, as he promised during the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s visit to France in October 2007.

During French Prime Minister Francois Fillon’s visit to Vietnam in November 2009, both countries signed five Inter-Governmental Agreements and over 10 financial protocols and contracts worth nearly 10 billion euro. The visit opened up new prospects for economic ties between the two countries. After the visit, both sides confirmed the co-operative guidelines and policies on external relations. France considers Vietnam as an emerging economy and will focus more on the country in the future through the implementation of these agreements.

Vietnam sees France as a gateway to the Europe while France sees Vietnam as a bridge to ASEAN.

VOV: What do you think are the key issues of interest to both countries?

Mr Tai: Vietnam will play a more important role when the country assumes the ASEAN chair. France can co-operate more closely with other ASEAN member countries through Vietnam. The five agreements signed in November 2009 are related to high-technology, education and training, security, and defence.

 VOV: Thank you very much.