Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet (R) and Regional Representative for Asia - Pacific of the OIF Edgar Doerig. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted a reception in Hanoi on April 11 for Regional Representative for Asia - Pacific of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) Edgar Doerig who came to present his credentials.
Viet expressed his belief that in the new position, Doerig will make further contributions to fine cooperation between Vietnam as well as French-speaking countries in the region and the OIF.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to providing all possible support within its ability for the OIF’s activities, he said.
Speaking highly of the OIF’s role and important contributions to enhancing cooperation and solidarity among the people and governments of French-speaking countries around the world, Viet affirmed that Vietnam always highly evaluates cooperation with the OIF while actively, proactively and responsibly engaging in its activities.
He also thanked the OIF Regional Office for Asia-Pacific in Hanoi for its effective cooperation and coordination over the past years.
On the occasion, Viet suggested the OIF increase its support for French language teaching in Vietnam, including training in French for Vietnamese military and public security forces who join in United Nations peacekeeping missions. He proposed increasing cultural exchanges and economic cooperation between Vietnamese and Francophone partners, especially in Africa, including through tripartite cooperation model in agriculture.
The Deputy Minister also suggested the OIF support efforts to maintain peace, stability, safety, and security of navigation in the East Sea.
Doerig, for his part, thanked the Vietnamese Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries and agencies for actively partnering with the OIF.
He took note of Vietnam’s priorities and informed the Office’s activities in the near future.
The official vowed to work closely with the Vietnamese side to launch Vietnam's cooperation priorities, including teaching French language, training in French, promoting cultural, economic and investment cooperation with Francophone partners.
Regarding the East Sea issue, he affirmed that the OIF strongly supports the serious observance of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Both sides pledged to closely cooperate and coordinate together to achieve set targets and fully tap cooperation potential in the future./.
