
The Vietnamese leader was welcomed at the Ivatointernational airport by Madagascar’s Prime Minister OlivierMahafaly Solonandrasana, Vietnam's Consul General in the country Eric Nazaraly,and representatives from the summit’s organisingboard.
Therelationship between Vietnam and the Fancophone Communityhas recorded fruitful developments. Over the last 30 years, especially in the periods of economic blockage and embargo,Vietnam has received support in termsof capital, expertise and technology from the community.
Thecommunity also serves as a channel for Vietnam to enhance bilateral relationswith its developed country members.
Vietnam now hasa stronger voice in designing and realising cooperation strategies of thecommunity.
The country has been elected to many important positions inthe community, such as President of the Permanent Council of the InternationalOrganisation of La Francophonie and President of the Ministerial Conference ofLa Francophonie for 1996-1997.
Through theforum, Vietnam has promoted bilateralrelations with a number of its member nations.
With the successful organisation of the 7th Francophone Summit in 1997 in Hanoi, Vietnam made important contributionsto institutionalising political activities and fostering links in economy,politics, culture, language, and education-training among the Francophonecommunity’s member nations.
Vietnam has actively and practicallyjoined in almost all prioritized fields of the community, from outliningcooperation strategies, accelerating administrative and financial reforms andadjusting resources for education and development fields. The country is said tobe one of key members of the community.
Inrecent years, the International Organisation of La Francophonie and relevantagencies have coordinated with a number of Francophone member countries toimplement projects in Vietnam./.