Paris (VNA) - National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong says Vietnam wants to beef up bilateral and multilateral ties with France , particularly in economics, trade and investment.

“ Vietnam will do its utmost to promote bilateral cooperation in accordance with the desire and benefit of both sides,” NA Chairman Trong told French Senate President Christian Poncelet during their talks in Paris on June 25.

The top legislator said that Vietnam and France have enjoyed traditional relations that have developed fruitfully over time based on mutual understanding.

Senior leaders of the two nations agreed to continue developing the bilateral friendship and comprehensive and long-term cooperation in the 21st century, Chairman Trong said.

The current visit, he added, will contribute to the relationship between the two countries, especially the Vietnamese legislative body and the French Senate through signed cooperation agreements.

Senate President Poncelet said as partners in the context of global rapid changes, France and Vietnam should increase dialogue on issues of mutual concern.

The French leader described the ongoing trip by NA Chairman Trong and a high-ranking NA delegation as vivid evidence of Vietnam ’s priority to expand all-round cooperation with the European Union (EU), noting that Vietnam could absolutely trust France ’s support for its efforts to strengthen the relationship with the grouping.
The same day, NA Chairman Trong and his entourage attended a plenum of the French Senate as observers.

In a later meeting with leaders of the French Communist Party, the top law-maker expressed his wish to increase exchanges between the Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam. He congratulated the French Communist Party on success to uphold its role in France ’s political life.

French Communist Party General Secretary Marie Georges Bufet spoke highly of Vietnam ’s foreign policy of multilateralisation and diversification amid the current globalisation.

The leader applauded Vietnam ’s achievements in national construction and development, and expected to learn about the country’s experiences.

At a reception given to First Secretary of the French Socialist Party Pierre Moscovici, Chairman Trong praised the Party’s position in the political life as well as its practical activities to bring benefits to the French people and intensify France-Vietnam bonds.

Moscovici said ties between the French Socialist Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam is a valuable asset of France-Vietnam relations.

Meeting with representatives from the Association of Vietnamese in France, the legislative leader emphasised that France is an important nation where a large number of overseas Vietnamese are living.

The chairman urged the association to diversify activities and attract more younger generations in order to contribute further to the homeland. The society needs to accelerate the teaching of the Vietnamese language and preserve national identity, he added.

Also on June 25, Chairman Trong received leaders of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association and Chairman of the High-level Council for France-Vietnam Cooperation Senator Jacques Oudin.

The Vietnamese guests on June 26 morning called at Toulouse where they visited an A380 airplane assembling plant and met with leaders of Airbus group. Toulouse Mayor Pierre Cohen presented Chairman Trong with a honourary citizen order.

On the afternoon, Chairman Trong and his entourage left Toulouse , wrapping up their three-day official trip to France.