French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery (Photo: VNA) Paris (VNA) - French Ambassador toVietnam Nicolas Warnery has affirmed that Vietnam is a true strategic partnerof France.
In aninterview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on October 29 ahead of VietnamesePrime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s France visit from November 3-5, Warnery wishedthat the visit would help materialise commitments by the two countires, as wellas further promote bilateral strategic partnership.
Accordingto him, Vietnam and France worked closely together within the framework of theUnited Nations Security Council. He thanked Vietnam for backing France’s bid tobecome a development partner of ASEAN and hailed ASEAN’s key role in theIndo-Pacific in external policies of the European Union member states,including France.
Healso spoke highly of close collaboration between the two countries in dealingwith global issues.
On thesignificance of the PM’s visit, Warnery said it demonstrates the importance ofbilateral friendship and cooperation in various areas.
On environmentfield, he said the French Development Agency (AFD) is assisting Vietnam in mitigatingthe negative impacts of climate change. During the visit, the AFD will signdeals to provide financial assistance for Vietnam to expand Hoa Binh hydropower dam, prevent flooding in Dien Bien Phu, and connect renewable energies,including solar power, with the national grid.
Aboutbilateral medical ties, he applauded the two countries’ efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic via Vietnam’s presentation of masks to France last year and France’sdelivery of vaccines to Vietnam this year.
Thediplomat also wished for breakthroughs in aerospace cooperation, especially viathe signing of a cooperation agreement among the Vietnam Academy of Science andTechnology, the National Centre for Space Studies of France, and Airbus Group.
TheFrench Government is stepping up the teaching of French language to Vietnam viadifferent channels and for those of all ages. At present, two schools in Hanoiand Ho Chi Minh City are working as those in France. Up to 40 percent of theirstudents are Vietnamese, thus creating a close bond between young people andFrench culture, he said.
Theambassador wished that flights between the two nations would be resumed towelcome Vietnamese students back to France in the near future.
At the interview (Photo: VNA)
Aspart of the visit, he said both sides will also sign a document recognisingeach other’s certificates, thus creating favourable conditions for Vietnamesestudents to study in France.
Franceis ready to help Vietnam improve the operations of public agencies, digitaliseadministrative procedures and build electronic portals for public services, hestated.
TheVietnamese PM’s visit will take place following his attendance at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and visit to the UK from October 31 – November 3./.
