Paris (VNA) – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son laid flowers in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his statue in Montreuil city, as part of his working trip to France on May 2-3.
Speaking at the event, which drew the participation of local leaders, representatives from the French Communist Party, Vietnamese expats, and French people, Son thanked Montreuil city for preserving valuable documents and exhibits of the late leader at the Living History Museum, as well as the support that local leaders and people have given to Vietnam for years.
He stressed that Vietnam and France have a special connection in various domains, from history and economy to culture, architecture and people, expressing his delight at the sound strategic partnership between the two nations.
Son described local cooperation as a standout trait of the bilateral ties, and spoke highly of the robust multifaceted cooperation between Montreuil city and Hai Duong province and Vietnam as a whole.
Vietnam always sees France a leading partner, and stands ready to deepen the strategic partnership framework between the two countries, he affirmed.
He thanked Montreuil Mayor Patrice Bessac as well as the Living History Museum for arranging an exhibition on Dien Bien Phu Victory and making public a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh on the occasion.
The common values of peace, friendship and cooperation have created a firm foundation for the bilateral relations nowadays, he stressed.
Patrice Bessac, for his part, held that Son’s visit on the occasion of the 134th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh contributes to honouring the relations between Vietnam and Montreuil.
Recalling the century-old friendship between the two sides since the establishment of the French Communist Party with the participation of President Ho Chi Minh, he said the whole world should follow the Vietnamese leader’s steps to fight for peace and fraternity.
On the occasion, Son also visited the Ho Chi Minh space at the Living History Museum, and an exhibition that displays Dien Bien Phu publications by French historian Alain Ruscio./.
