(VOVworld) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has paid a visit to the French Institute of International Relations in Paris in the framework of his visit to France. The Prime Minister delivered a speech on the Vietnam-France strategic partnership: building strategic trust for peace, cooperation and prosperity.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (left) said a strategic partnership between Vietnam and France will help promote Asia-Europe connectivity                                                     Source: VGP

Earlier, while meeting with French Minister of Defence Le Drain, Mr. Dung affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to its defence cooperation with France. He also suggested both sides increase the sharing of information between defence strategic research agencies, and work together in training and the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions. 

Le Drain affirmed that France is willing to assist Vietnam in UN peacekeeping activities, personnel training, and defence technology. 

Meeting with National Secretary of the French Communist Party Pierre Laurent, Prime Minister Dung said that the Vietnam and France relationship is underpinned by the traditional solidarity, friendship and special cooperation between the Vietnamese and French Communist Parties. Laurent expressed his wish to further step up cooperation between the two parties via the exchange of visits to share experience in party building and forge cooperation in other fields.  He said he pins high hopes on strong and practical cooperation between the two parties and peoples in the time ahead. 

At a reception for General Secretary of the France-Vietnam Society (FVS) Patrice Jorland, PM Dung told his host that Vietnam views the association as a channel for information exchange to bolster mutual trust and understanding between the two peoples. In such a spirit, he said he hopes the FVS will continue serving as a bridge to help French and other friends learn more about Vietnam and thus forge closer ties. Jorland made it clear that his association will work for stronger cooperation between the two countries.