The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the
Vietnam-France Friendship Association (VFFA) held a ceremony in Hanoi on
April 10 to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnam–France diplomatic
ties.
The event saw the presence of former Vice
President Nguyen Thi Binh, VUFO’s Chairman Vu Xuan Hong, French
Ambassador to Vietnam Jean Noel Poirier, among others.
VFFA Chairman Nguyen Huy Quang reviewed the history of the friendship
and cooperation relations between the two countries over the four
decades, adding that France is the first European country to extend
support to Vietnam the 1990s when the country took the first steps to
resume relations with the international community and started the cause
of “doi moi” (renewal).
The relations between
the two countries have been unceasingly broadened and developed in all
fields, and become an example of relation between a leading developed
country and a developing one, he said, noting that France is now the
leading European partner of Vietnam with bilateral trade reaching 3.2
billion USD last year and 3.14 billion USD of French investment in
Vietnam. The two countries are implementing a series of bilateral
cooperation programmes in infrastructure, energy, transport and
aviation, while French cultural centres have opened in many cities and
provinces in Vietnam.
Quang also said the
Vietnamese people are deeply moved at the French people’s support in
publicising issues relating to the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin
on the people and environment in Vietnam and garnering international
assistance in overcoming such consequences.
Ambassador Poirier said the France Year in Vietnam was officially
kicked off on April 9 to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties
between the two countries. The programme comprises an array of events at
all areas, extending until 2014 in both Vietnam and France, he
said.
The VFFA Chairman and the French Ambassador
shared their hope and belief that the friendly ties between the two
countries will ever develop in the interest of the two peoples and for
prosperity and peace in the region and the world.-VNA