France diplomat desires stronger relations with Vietnam

Thứ Sáu, 21/10/2016, 07:31

Newly-accredited French Ambassador to Vietnam Bertrand Lortholary has expressed his hope that cooperation between Vietnam and France will grow and flourish in the coming time.

Meeting with the press on the occasion of his new office term in Hanoi on October 20, the new diplomat said economic cooperation should be further expanded on par with the bilateral diplomatic ties, adding that economic cooperation achievements will facilitate the implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs) to which both Vietnam and France are signatories, especially the pact between Vietnam and the EU.

French enterprises, via the French Development Agency (FDA), have carried out projects dealing with impacts of climate change in the Southeast Asian nation, Betrand Lortholary.

Up to 17 climate change projects valued US$756 million were underway in Vietnam between 2006 and 2015. The FDA is set to implement another project on air monitoring systems in Hanoi.

“Vietnam and France will prioritize their cooperation in peace-keeping operations, education, military medicine, national defence and economy,” he said.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Bertrand Lortholary

Calling on young Vietnamese people to learn more about France, Betrand Lortholary said about 7,000 Vietnamese students are studying in France, constituting the largest community of Asian students in the country.

Outstanding overseas Vietnamese students will have chances to work as trainees in French firms, he noted.

Besides, the French space will be formed in major universities across Vietnam, with a pilot model in Can Tho University, he said, dislaying his hope for the establishment of branches of the French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam.

VOV