PANO – The traditional relationship between Vietnam and France started long prior to 1973 when the two countries set up their diplomatic relations. Now in the 40th year, the bilateral comprehensive relationship has been ceaselessly developing.
Mr. Christian Poncelet, former Speaker of the French Senate and Head of the France-Vietnam Parliamentary Group, in his visit to Vietnam early this month, affirmed that the bilateral ties have seen rapid development since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Many French people who had come or stayed in Vietnam would like to come back to promote the ties.
Vietnam-France Business Forum in Ho Chi Minh City in April
Positive changes during the 30 years of the Renewal (Doi moi) process in Vietnam have left deep impressions on the French. During her trip to Vietnam for the 40th anniversary of signing the Paris Peace Accords, President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association Helene Luc said that the image of Vietnam, the country that had courageously fought and won over foreign invaders, never faded in her mind.
She also recalled that she herself and other members of the French Communist Party had done their utmost to support the Vietnamese delegation during the Paris Peace Talks on ending the war in Vietnam held in Paris from May 15th, 1968 to January 27th, 1973.
In spite of the global economic recession, two-way trade between Vietnam and France sharply increased over recent years, reaching US$1.67 billion in 2009 and US$3.75 billion in 2012.
Addressing the Vietnam-France Business Forum, opened in Ho Chi Minh City in April, French Minister of Foreign Trade Nicole Bricq said that France’s export volume to Vietnam doubled in the past 5 years, especially in sectors of medicines, cosmetics, perfume, electronics and informatics.
France now ranks 15th among 92 foreign investors in Vietnam, with 340 projects worth US$3 billion. This contributes to further beefing up the bilateral strategic partnership.
Translated by Van Hieu
Đăng ký: VietNam News
