Vietnam is expecting a visit from the French President, with hopes for concrete steps and fresh driving forces to push bilateral strategic partnership to a new height, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son said.

He made the statement while presenting his credentials to French President Francois Hollande on January 29.

The French President said that his visit to Vietnam has been scheduled in his foreign activity programme and that it should be quickly arranged through diplomatic channel.
He expressed his delight at recent developments of Vietnam-France relations, speaking highly of Vietnam’s active contributions to the Francophone community.

The host recalled meetings with Vietnamese leaders on the sidelines of big events, saying that the French Government and enterprises always hope to enlarge the relations with Vietnam.

The relations between Vietnam and France have been boosted through high-ranking visits. France is one of the leading partners of Vietnam across the fields of politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, culture, education and training.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to France in September 2013 elevated the two countries’ relations to strategic partnership, an impetus to deepen the bilateral ties.

Numerous events were held in the two countries in Exchange Year 2013-2014 to mark the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, showing traditionally historical and cultural bonds as well as potential in efficient and sustainable collaboration in the coming time.-VNA