French top legislator’s visit to tighten ties with Vietnam

Paris (VNA) – The upcoming visit to Vietnam by President of the National Assembly of France Claude Bartolone is expected to further the strategic partnership between the two countries – which was signed in September 2013.

Chairman of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group Pascal Deguilhem, who will accompany the French top legislator in his Vietnam visit on March 18-21, made the remark in an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency’s reporters in Paris.

Deguilhem highlighted the sound relations between the two nations, which were demonstrated through the enhancement of bilateral delegation exchanges at all levels.

He noted that most recently, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had important meetings with French leaders while attending the 21st Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21).

The legislator also pointed to effective cooperation in culture, education-training, and healthcare.

At the same time, he urged the two sides should double their efforts to strengthen ties in trade-investment, transport, energy, and sustainable development.

He noted that the upcoming visit of the French NA leader will create a premise for the long-awaited arrival in Vietnam by French President Francois Hollande – who pledged to visit Vietnam before ending his tenure in May 2017.

As Chairman of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group, Deguilhem said he will persuade the French President to visit Vietnam as soon as possible to acknowledge the historical relations between the two countries and France’s attention on Vietnam as a Francophone country.

In addition, both countries are keen to boost their economic ties, he said, adding that France is the second largest provider of development aid to Vietnam after Japan.

Mentioning the East Sea issue, the French legislator was of the view that there is no other way to address tension than the diplomatic channel and basing on international law.

He noted that at the time China illegally placed its Haiyang Shiyou 981 drill platform in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in 2014, the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group quickly voiced their concern and urged dialogue between parties for a peaceful solution.-VNA