Vietnam wishes to contribute further to EU-ASEAN co-operation
President Nguyen Minh Triet on April 2 stressed that Vietnam was willing to be a bridge between France and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Speaking in an interview with the French weekly magazine Paris Match reporters who are currently in the country to create a special insert on Vietnam, President Triet praised the fine development of the Vietnam-France relations in all fields.
President Triet said that France held strong economic potential and shared a traditional relationship and cultural similarities with Vietnam.
France played an important role in linking Vietnam with European Union (EU) and in response Vietnam was ready to contribute further to boosting EU-ASEAN co-operation.
"After the success of the renovation process and becoming a model in the regional, Vietnam wants to contribute more to EU-ASEAN co-operation," he said.
The president urged French investors to give priority to support Vietnam in development in the fields of personnel training, especially for key industries, law, healthcare, urban management, environment, infrastructure, agriculture and food processing.
"Do increase investment into Vietnam," he said, adding that "Vietnam always welcomes French investors."
According the statistics by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, France has 177 on-going projects in Vietnam worth a total of US $2.2 billion. France now ranks ninth out of 77 countries and territories investing in Vietnam and second among EU members after the Netherlands. In addition, France tops the EU in continuously increasing direct assistance to Vietnam.
Paris Match's insert on Vietnam will focus on the country's development achievements and open policies. It will also introduce the people, business environment and tourism potential in Vietnam.
Nhan Dan - April 3, 2007.
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