Vietnam considers France as an important friend in helping the country to forge closer links with others in the European Union (EU), said a Vietnamese diplomat.

Ambassador to France Le Kinh Tai made statement during a debate on Vietnam ’s economy and the prospect of more economic cooperation between the two countries, which was held in Paris on Dec. 15.

“Both countries have the potential for further bilateral cooperation, particularly after last month’s visit to Vietnam by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon when several major contracts worth nearly 10 billion EUR were signed, Tai said.

The ambassador gave a run down of economic developments in Vietnam in recent years, especially the government and people’s efforts to solve financial issues caused by the global economic crisis.

He confirmed that the most difficult period had passed and the economy is still on track. “The fact that donors are committed to spending 8more than .5 billion USD in the country during 2010 is evidence of the international community’s trust in Vietnam ,” he added.

The debate, organised by the Graduates Association from the ESSEC Business School in Paris , drew many members of the French and overseas Vietnamese business communities.

France is Vietnam ’s third largest investor in the EU and it accounts for 1.2 percent of the Southeast Asian nation’s import value.

ESSEC is one of the most prestigious business schools in France and has a global reputation./.