France is one of Vietnam’s largest trade partners as the potential for cooperation remains great, said Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.

At a reception for visiting French Prime Minister Francois Fillon in Hanoi on November 12, the Party leader said that the two governments should take active measures to bring bilateral ties, especially in trade, investment, education and training, and science and technology, to a new level.

He also spoke highly of the French Government and people’s support and assistance for Vietnam during its renewal and international integration process.

General Secretary Manh affirmed that Vietnam deeply values its relationship with France and will do its utmost to develop their ties comprehensively and on a bilateral basis at international forums and within the Francophone bloc.

For his part, the French PM informed the General Secretary of the results of his talks with PM Nguyen Tan Dung.

He said that Vietnam and France have seen practical and important results in relations--especially in economics, trade, culture, education and training, and science and technology--helping boost their “traditional friendship, comprehensive, long-term and reliable cooperation in the 21st century” as agreed upon by the two countries’ senior leaders.

PM Francois Fillon affirmed that France, in its Asia policy, also deeply values and gives high priority to its relationship with Vietnam .

France will actively support Vietnam’s link with the European Union (EU) as well as strengthen coordination at international forums, to the end of bringing two-way relations to a new height, he added.

On the same day, PM Francois Fillon was received by State President Nguyen Minh Triet and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

Earlier, a meeting between delegations from the Vietnam-France Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group and the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group also took place at the NA Office.

In the evening, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hosted a banquet for his French counterpart, Francois Fillon, and his entourage./.