Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted a reception in Hanoion April 11 for Regional Representative for Asia - Pacific of the InternationalOrganisation of La Francophonie (OIF) Edgar Doerig who came to present his credentials.
Viet expressed hisbelief that in the new position, Doerig will make further contributions to finecooperation between Vietnam as well as French-speaking countries in the region and the OIF.
The VietnameseMinistry of Foreign Affairs is committed to providing allpossible support within its ability for the OIF’s activities, he said.
Speakinghighly of the OIF’s role and important contributions to enhancing cooperationand solidarity among the people and governments of French-speaking countriesaround the world, Viet affirmed that Vietnam always highly evaluates cooperation with the OIFwhile actively, proactively and responsibly engaging in its activities.
Healso thanked the OIF Regional Office for Asia-Pacific in Hanoi for itseffective cooperation and coordination over the past years.
Onthe occasion, Viet suggested the OIF increase its support for French language teaching in Vietnam, including training in French for Vietnamese military and public security forces who join in United Nationspeacekeeping missions. He proposed increasing cultural exchanges and economiccooperation between Vietnamese and Francophone partners, especially inAfrica, including through tripartite cooperation model in agriculture.
TheDeputy Minister also suggested the OIF support efforts to maintain peace,stability, safety, and security of navigation in the East Sea.
Doerig, for hispart, thanked the Vietnamese Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministriesand agencies for actively partnering with the OIF.
He took note ofVietnam’s priorities and informed the Office’s activities in the near future.
The official vowed towork closely with the Vietnamese side to launch Vietnam's cooperation priorities, including teaching French language, training in French, promotingcultural, economic and investment cooperation with Francophone partners.
Regarding the EastSea issue, he affirmed that the OIF strongly supports the serious observance of international law and the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea.
Bothsides pledged to closely cooperate and coordinate together to achieve set targets and fully tapcooperation potential in the future./.