Vietnamese Ambassador to France Le Kinh Tai on April 22 presented a letter of credentials from State President Nguyen Minh Triet to French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Mr Tai highlighted the positive development in relations between Vietnam and France in all fields, particularly in the implementation of the agreements signed by both sides during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to France in October 2007.

The Vietnamese diplomat reiterated the determination of senior leaders to consolidate the traditional friendship and build a comprehensive, long-term and reliable relationship in the 21^st century.

For his part, the French President said that both sides should make a greater effort to raise bilateral relations to a new level, especially in economic and trade cooperation. Mr Sarkozy said he hopes to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time next year.