France is now Vietnam ’s second largest European investor and its third biggest trading partner with two-way trade hitting 3.2 billion USD last year. The two countries are celebrating their 40^th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.

PM Dung told visiting former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin at a meeting in Hanoi that as Viet Nam ’s leading bilateral donor, France has also actively contributed to poverty reduction and socio-economic development in the country.

He pledged to facilitate French investment in Viet Nam and suggested the French side further assist the effective implementation of the Hanoi University of Technology project, as well as support Viet Nam conclude the Viet Nam–EU Free Trade Area Agreement negotiations.

The PM asked the French side to back Viet Nam ’s stance on settling East Sea-related issues by peaceful means in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Villepin said numerous French companies want to invest in Viet Nam in transport infrastructure, energy, water supply and drainage, education and training.

He said the French side is looking forward to Dung’s visit to France this year to realise the bilateral strategic partnership.

Welcoming former French PM Dominique de Villepin the same day, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh stressed that Viet Nam attaches importance to bolstering ties with France .

Minh also noted with pleasure the strong and widespread development of the Viet Nam–France friendship and their traditional cooperation in various areas.

The guest said he believes that thanks to Viet Nam and France ’s cooperation potential and determination, the two countries will further deepen effective links in transport, energy, space aviation and other fields.

Earlier, Villepin held working sessions with Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang and Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang./.