At the celebration (Photo: VNA) In his remarks, Minister Bui Thanh Son recalled the seventhFrancophone Summit in Hanoi 25 years ago, the first of its kind in Asia-Pacific,which adopted the Charter of La Francophonie and elected the first OIFSecretary General.
The Francophone offered a door for Vietnam to boost itsinternational integration during the initial stage of Doi moi (Renewal), whilethe summit was the first biggest multilateral event hosted by Vietnam since thecountry embarked on the reform process, he noted.
The summit demonstrated Vietnam’s sound foreign policyof being a trustworthy friend, an active and responsible member of theinternational community, and together striving for peace, national dependence,democracy, development cooperation and social progress, he continued.
Vietnam drew experience from hosting the summit tosuccessfully organise many events of major multilateral forums like theAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) andthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the minister stressed.
Apart from creating an impulse for equal, mutuallybeneficial cooperation between Vietnam and member countries of the Francophonecommunity, the summit helped to promote cultural values associated with Frenchand boost the development of the language in Vietnam.
Son attributed achievements Vietnam has recorded overthe past 25 years to the timely support of the international community, includingFrancophone member countries.
Emphasising the need for Francophone countries to paymore attention to youths in terms of employment, startup and innovation, OIFSecretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo said Vietnam is an example for its supportto young people, especially in startup, and the OIF would like to contribute tothese efforts.
With its development pace and huge technologicalpotential, Vietnam plays an important role in the implementation of theFrancophone Economic Development Strategy, she affirmed.
On this occasion, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnamwas honoured with the annual award of the Group of Francophone Embassies,Delegations and Institutions in Vietnam (GADIF)./.
VNA
