A ceremony was held in Hanoi on March 20 to mark the International Francophone Day held by the Foreign Ministry and the International Organisation of Francophone (OIF).

Addressing the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc affirmed Vietnam values its cooperative relations with the Francophone community, considering it a priority partner and an effective international community in helping Vietnam implement its foreign policy of independence, autonomy, multilateralisation of ties and active international integration.

He hailed the Francophone community’s constant efforts to boost solidarity and cooperation for peace and development among its member countries during the past 45 years, adding that Vietnam’s diplomatic relations with Francophone nations have been continuously strengthened and expanded.

Anissa Barrak, Asia-Pacific Regional Director of the OIF, highlighted the linguistic diversity and the role of the Francophone community, affirming that the community always participates in joint efforts to address global challenges such as terrorism and climate change.

She emphasised on the highlights in cooperation between Vietnam and the OIF, while hailing the country’s important role and position in the Francophone community.

Vietnam helps create a firm support for Francophonie in the Asia-Pacific region, she added.

On the occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Ngoc presented the Friendship Order from the State President to the OIF’s regional office and the Francophone University Agency (AUF) in recognition of the offices’ valuable contributions to promoting the Vietnam-OIF ties over the past 20 years.

At the ceremony, Ambassador and Professor Duong Van Quang, former head of the Vietnamese Mission to UNESCO, and Ta Thi Minh Ngoc, a lecturer of Nha Trang University, were presented with awards from the group of Francophone embassies, missions and institutions in Hanoi.-VNA