Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 18 for President of the National Assembly of France Claude Bartolone, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and President of the National Assembly of France Claude Bartolone. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Believing the visit will greatly contribute to the country’s strategic partnership, Phuc highlighted the sound relationship between Vietnam and France and considered this as a foundation for them to capitalise on their potential and advantages.

He said he hopes they will intensify cooperation across the board and reinforce the strategic partnership in a result-oriented fashion.

As France is a big European investor in Vietnam, the Deputy PM confirmed that the Vietnamese Government is ready to provide the best possible conditions for the two countries’ businesses to access each other’s markets and particularly for French investments in his nation.

He asked France to speed up some investment projects and continue the provision of official development assistance to Vietnam. He said he hopes France will help tighten the Southeast Asian country’s connections with the European Union (EU).

For his part, Claude Bartolone voiced his belief that bilateral ties will be consolidated on the basis of their long-standing amity, and the same for Vietnam’s relations with the EU.

He noted a great number of French enterprises’ investments in Vietnam and asked the local Government to streamline procedures to facilitate their operations.

Meanwhile, both sides boast much potential in various spheres such as energy and the environment, and France is willing to cooperate with Vietnam in those areas, the guest added.

VNA