Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh has highlighted the importance of French in connecting countries and peoples all over the world for peace, cooperation and development.

He was speaking at a ceremony held at the Opera House in Hanoi on March 20 to mark International Francophone Day (March 20).
The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Regional Bureau of Asia Pacific (BRAP) under the International Francophone Organisation (OIF) in Hanoi .

Minh suggested that all OIF member countries should make greater efforts in concrete actions to boost strength and solidarity of the French speaking community, making its say heard and its role increased in addressing international affairs.

In her speech, BRAP Deputy Director Anissa Barrak said with its dynamism in diplomatic activities and international relations, Vietnam plays an important role in consolidating the relationship between the French speaking countries in the region with OIF member countries in other continents.

Anissa Barrak appreciated the country’s commitments and efforts in increasing the teaching of French and its involvement in political and cooperative activities in the Francophone community, noting that Vietnam , along with Laos , Thailand and Cambodia , are major elements to promote cooperation between OIF and ASEAN.

On the occasion, a number of individuals were honoured for their contributions to the diplomatic cause and OIF’s development.-VNA