(VNA): President of the National Assembly of France Jean-Louis Debre affirmed his legislature's support for France's increases in development aid for and co-operation in economics, trade and investment with Vietnam so as to make the co-operative ties equal to the two countries' political and cultural ties.

The French parliamentarian made the affirmation during his meeting with Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in Paris on June 9.

Mr Debre welcomed the Vietnamese Party chief's visit to France and expressed his hope that the visit would further consolidate and elevate the friendship and co-operation between the two countries in general and their law-making bodies in particular.

He spoke highly of the great achievements made by Vietnam in the renovation process, laying stress on the results from the fight against poverty, economic development, and social justice and cultural promotion programmes.

Party General Secretary Manh thanked the French NA and President Debre himself for assisting Vietnam in strengthening its ties with the European Union and other international organisations.

He said he was pleased to witness the fruitful developments in the relationship between the two countries' legislatures in the recent past and that he hoped the two agencies would increase their sharing of experiences in law-making.

Host and guest shared the view that NA deputies should play a more active role in boosting the two countries' co-operation, particularly in co-operation models involving developing countries and international organisations.

On the same day, Party General Secretary Manh met with President of the Senate Christian Poncelet, during which the French Senate leader described his guest's visit as an impetus for the expansion of the traditional Franco-Vietnam co-operation, especially in economics, trade and investment.

He lauded the rapid economic growth rate in Vietnam, saying it contributed to ensuring social justice and reducing poverty in the country.

The Senator said that France wants to bolster all-faceted co-operation with Vietnam.

The Vietnamese leader said that though far apart geographically, Vietnam and France are close in culture.

He affirmed that Vietnam considers France as its leading Western  European partner and gives a high priority to the development of ties with the country.

He expressed his hope that France would work together with Vietnam in more co-operation projects.

Later, Mr Poncelet hosted a banquet in honour of his Vietnamese guest.

On the same day, Party General Secretary Manh met with National Secretary Marie George Buffet and other leaders of the French Communist Party (PCF).

General Secretary Manh briefed the host of Vietnam's situation, open-door foreign policy, and Vietnam-France friendly co-operative relations, and the outcomes of his current visit to France. He thanked the PCF for its valuable assistance to Vietnam, and stressed that the Vietnamese Party and people hoped to further promote and develop their traditional close ties of solidarity and mutual trust with the PCF.

Secretary Buffet welcomed General Secretary Manh and his entourage to France, describing the visit as a new milestone in their relations, which would help promote the traditional solidarity, friendship and trust between the two communist parties. She reiterated that the PCF supports Vietnam and will participate in activities to strengthen the friendship and co-operation between the two countries. The PCF leaders highlighted Vietnam's experiences and achievements in the renovation process initiated by the Communist Party of Vietnam, saying that they were practically and theoretically valuable contributions to the struggle for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress.

Later the same day, General Secretary Manh received the leader of the Franco-Vietnamese Friendship Association.

On his way home from Paris to Hanoi, General Secretary Manh sent a message of thanks to French President Jacques Chirac. 

The Vietnamese Party leader extended his profound and sincere thanks to the French President, Government, Senate, National Assembly and people for their warm welcome and hospitality.

He said: "I firmly believe that with joint efforts to effectively implement the agreements reached by the two sides, we will be able to raise our traditional ties of friendship, comprehensive, long lasting co-operation, and mutual trust in the 21st century to a new height for the benefit of the two countries, and for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the world."

Concluding the message, General Secretary Manh extended his best wishes for good health and success to the French President.