Vietnam, France enhance diplomatic ties
(VOV) - Ambassador Duong Chi Dung has reported that despite political changes in France, bilateral Vietnamese-French ties continue to develop positively.
Reviewing relations between the two countries in 2012, Dung noted the numerous reciprocated exchanges at ministerial, state agency, parliamentary and grassroots levels.
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The ambassador told the media French President François Hollande stressed the need to boost high-ranking delegation exchanges in a letter thanking Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang for his message of congratulations. At a discussion on the sidelines of the 9th Asia Europe Meeting Summit held recently in Laos, he and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung concurred on pushing the Vietnamese-French relationship to a strategic partnership.
Cooperation in economics, culture, and education and training also increased in 2012. France maintains its commitment to Vietnam—US$340 million in ODA was pledged to the country at a recent donors’ meeting. The commitment increases France’s Vietnam ODA to US$2.15 billion over the last decade.
Dung promised there will be many important events to celebrate 2013’s 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between the two nations. The activities will not only mark an important period of development but also reinvigorate the traditional comprehensive relationship.
According to the ambassador, the connection between the French and Vietnamese people is an essential one forged through extensive cross-cultural exchanges.