Vietnam attaches importance to relations with Francophone community: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) meets Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), during his official visit to France.(Photo: VNA)

Paris (VNA) – Vietnam attaches importance to its cooperative relations with the Francophone community and actively contributes to its common activities, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

The PM made the statement at a meeting on November 5 with Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), during his official visit to France.

PM Chinh applauded the efforts and contributions of the Francophone community to keeping peace and stability, promoting development in, and strengthening cooperation and solidarity among its member countries.

While taking on the role of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, Vietnam has always promoted dialogue and cooperation, and contributed to efforts in a bid to prevent and resolve instability and conflicts that occurred in some African countries which are members of the OIF, he said.

The PM said that Vietnam has joined 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) covering up to 60 economies, including some Francophone economies. This is a favourable condition and legal basis for the country to promote economic cooperation with Francophone countries, he said, expressing his willingness to promote cooperation with Francophone nations in agriculture and telecommunications.

At the event. (Photo: VNA)

The OIF General-Secretary highly appreciated Vietnam's role and its responsible and effective contributions to the Francophone community, as well as enhancing the image of the Francophone community in the Asia-Pacific region, including its hosting of the 7th Francophone Summit in 1997.

She also praised Vietnam's role as the coordinator to successfully build the Francophone Economic Cooperation Strategy for the 2020-2025 period and welcomed Vietnam's participation in UN peacekeeping operations, especially in Francophone countries.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a letter of intent on collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture of Gabon on coffee production and export cooperation; a letter of intent on cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the OIF on the establishment of a South-South Cooperation Centre and tripartite cooperation./.