Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Nov. 1 (VNA) -- President Tran Duc Luong's visit to France has brought the Viet Nam-France relationship to a new plane and marked a new step in the development of bilateral relations, said Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien.

Areas that have particularly benefited include credit, finance, science and technology and journalism, he said.

Nien, who was accompanying the President on his Oct. 28-31 visit, granted an interview to Viet Nam News Agency on the results of the visit.

He said President Jacques Chirac and other French leaders have agreed to develop their traditional friendship and long-term and comprehensive bilateral cooperation, considering this the major focus of Viet Nam-France relations in the 21st century.

During the visit Viet Nam and France signed 11 agreements, including a contract to buy five Airbus A-321 aircraft.

The French leaders also pledged to support Viet Nam in increasing exports, particularly garments and seafood, to France and other European countries, Nien noted.

He stressed that the visit also created new impetus for Viet Nam to boost cooperative ties with France and the European Union (EU). "The recent visit to France by President Tran Duc Luong not only marked a new step in development of the bilateral relationship but also furthered the relations between Viet Nam and the EU because France is an important member of the EU," Nien added.

On culture, Nien said, both nations wanted to develop cooperation in this field. France wanted to help Viet Nam raise the level of the Hue Festival and plans to organise an exhibition on the Cham culture in 2004.

The two countries' leaders expressed the wish to continue developing Vietnamese culture in France and French culture in Viet Nam.
In training, many Vietnamese students have studied or are studying in France. France wanted to train more Vietnamese students, especially in science and technology.

Asked about measures to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the Vietnamese FM said the two sides agreed to establish a mechanism of regular exchange on political and security issues on the basis of mutual trust.

President Luong's visit indicated the high consensus of French leaders and people in strengthening relations with Viet Nam. Particularly, President Jacques Chirac affirmed that France has considered Viet Nam as a gateway for France to enhance its relationship with other Southeast Asian countries, and is willing to help Viet Nam boost relations with the EU.

Regarding the Vietnamese community's contributions to the future development of the bilateral relationship, Nien said that the majority of overseas Vietnamese in France had made great contributions to national construction. Many scientists have returned home to take part in research projects. At present, the Vietnamese community in France intend to enhance the exchange of relations with young people in the homeland. They also plan to participate in training work by building a university in the country with the assistance of overseas Vietnamese professors.

President Tran Duc Luong wrapped up his official visit to France on Thursday. On the way home he cabled a message of thanks to President Jacques Chirac, expressing his satisfaction at the fine results of the visit and hoping that his talks and meetings with the President and other leaders of France as well as the high-level agreements signed between the two sides would contribute to building a traditional friendship, long-lasting and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and France in the 21st century.