The three-day event, which began in January 16, is jointly heldby Paris I Pantheon-Sorbone University of France, Vietnam’s Universityof Social Sciences and Humanities, and several other partners.
As part of activities within the framework of the “2013-2014Vietnam-France, France-Vietnam Year”, the workshop also aims to mark the40 th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Following the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954 that ended the invasionwar waged by French colonialists, the Vietnam-France relations underwenta difficult period. However, the bilateral ties have entered a newchapter since the two countries established their diplomatic relationsin 1973.
Over the past four decades, both sides have madeevery effort to cultivate the relationship, notably the signing of manycooperation agreements and mechanisms in various areas.
Besides, bilateral dialogue has been expanded to a multilateral one, especially through the Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM).
On the first working day, delegates looked back at milestones in thedefence ties, which started with France’s opening of its defence attacheoffice in Vietnam in 1991.
France has pledged to supportVietnam in training peace-keeping forces within the framework ofactivities of the United Nations.
Major General DanielSchaeffer, first French military attache to Vietnam, stressed that thetwo countries boast a lot of potential for defence cooperation, not onlyin the provision of military technologies but also officer training.
He suggested the two sides broaden the bilateral relationsinto those between European and Southeast Asian countries in order toensure free navigation at international seas.
Historians,experts and historic witnesses highlighted potential for comprehensivecooperation between Vietnam and France with the elevation of thebilateral relations into a strategic partnership during Prime MinisterNguyen Tan Dung’s visit to France in September last year.
They also talked about the upcoming visits to Vietnam by FrenchPresident Francois Hollande and Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drianscheduled for this year.
Cooperation in politics, economics, trade, culture, science and education will also be tabled at the workshop.-VNA