Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and outgoing French Ambassador to Vietnam Bertrand Lortholary at their meeting in Hanoi on July 17 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuchighlighted the importance of joint work to boost Vietnam – France cooperationfor better outcomes, while receiving outgoing French Ambassador to VietnamBertrand Lortholary in Hanoi on July 17.
At the reception, PM Phuc congratulated the diplomat on hissuccessful tenure in Vietnam, particularly in organising exchanges ofhigh-level delegations between the two countries.
Phuc said via several meetings on the sidelines ofinternational conferences and forums, most recently at the G20 summit, he andhis French counterpart discussed measures to lift bilateral ties to newheights. He expressed his hope to expand the cooperation in many fields.
For his part, Lortholary thanked the PM and the VietnameseGovernment and public agencies for creating favourable conditions for him tocomplete his missions.
He said France supports Vietnam’s bid for a non-permanentseat at the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and backs freenavigation and overflight in the East Sea.
The diplomat affirmed France considers Vietnam as animportant partner in the Asia-Pacific and highly values the country’s role inthe region.
He said French businesses in Vietnam have recorded goodgrowth and many French investors are eyeing the Southeast Asian market,particularly after Vietnam and the EU signed their free trade and investmentprotection agreements.
Lortholary informed his host that French Development Agencyhas carried out several effective activities in Vietnam and wants to implementmore projects, including those on climate change adaptation.
PM Phuc suggested France support the ratification of the tworecently signed agreements to bring benefits to the two peoples and businesscommunities.
Speaking highly of the increasing Vietnam-France defencecooperation in the past time, the PM praised France’s stance on peace,security, and free navigation and overflight in the East Sea.
He hoped France to boost French language training forVietnamese students, and asked for the European nation’s assistance for Vietnamin 2020 when the country assumes its ASEAN chairmanship and serves as anon-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The PM told Lortholary to continue his contributions toVietnam – France relations on his new post.-VNA
VNA
