Vietnamese leaders' visits strengthen foreign relations
Ha Noi, Oct. 28 (VNA) -- President Tran Duc Luong's visit to France, and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's visit to Cuba, both of which start today, reflect the Vietnamese Government's pursuit of diversification in international relations.
The national daily Nhan Dan (People) in an editorial today called the first ever visit by a Head of State of Viet Nam to France since the two countries established diplomatic relations as a milestone, marking a turning point in both depth and width in the Viet Nam-France relationship.
"We are delighted at recent positive, effective, and practical developments in Viet Nam-France ties. The two countries have accelerated the exchange of high-level visits. The first visit by President F. Mitterrand to Viet Nam in February, 1993 was followed by the Nov. 1997 visit by President J. Chirac. In exchange, the Communist Party of Viet Nam General Secretary, the Prime Minister and the National Assembly Chairman of Viet Nam have taken turns to visit the leading European investor," the editorial said.
"We welcome the French Government's policy of developing ties with Viet Nam and hope to boost bilateral relations with a view to strengthening France's position in Viet Nam and other Southeast Asian countries," the editorial continued.
France has invested some 2 billion USD through more than 100 projects in Viet Nam. It is also Viet Nam's biggest northwest European ODA donor and economic and commercial partner.
France is also a strong supporter of Viet Nam's bids to improve and develop relations with international financial and monetary institutions, boost ties with the European Union, and join the World Trade Organisation.
Meanwhile, the first ever visit by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to Cuba was desbribed by the newspaper as another manifestation of the Vietnamese Government's policy to pursue diversified and multilateral ties.
The visit aims to boost economic, commercial, scientific and technological cooperation, along with traditional political ties, with Cuba.
"Viet Nam and Cuba, though far away geographically, have enjoyed traditional friendship and cooperation, rooted in the revolutionary ideology cultivated by Jose Marti and President Ho Chi Minh," said the editorial.
The newspaper quoted Fidel Castro as saying "For Viet Nam, Cuba is ready to donate even its blood", as a manifestation of the special friendship, which has stood the test of time.
F. Castro has recently spelled out Cuba's economic strong points such as construction, transport, bio-technology, education, healthcare and agriculture that could be helpful to Viet Nam's development, despite its own difficulties, the editorial recalled.
"May Prime Minister Khai's visit to the Freedom Island be successful, thus contributing to bringing the traditional Viet Nam-Cuba ties to a new level for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the regions and the world as a whole," the editorial concluded.
