Hanoi (VNA) - Promoting the role ofthe French language and assisting countries in educational and economicdevelopment are among the priorities of Chekou Oussouman, Chief Representativefor the Asia-Pacific of the International Organisation of La Francophonie(OIF), during his term.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agencyahead of International Francophonie Day on March 20, Oussouman, who took over thepost last June, described Vietnam, an OIF member, as an important partner ofthe French-speaking economic community.

Talking about Vietnam’s economic ties withfrancophone countries in Africa, he said he has worked with the Ministry ofIndustry and Trade to seek ways to bolster trade and investment and alsounderlined the need to create the necessary conditions for young entrepreneurs inthese countries to enhance mutual understanding and further grasp cooperativeopportunities.

The OIF has held working sessions withVietnamese partners like the Trade University, the Foreign Trade University,and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to quickly connect themwith partners in Central and West Africa, including Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire,Gabon, and Cameroon.

The organisation will also support decentralisedcooperation between Vietnam and European nations that are OIF members, such asbetween certain French regions and Vietnamese provinces, so as to bettercapitalise on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), according toOussouman.

In terms of education, he spoke highly of theCommunist Party of Vietnam, at the recent 13th National Congress, identifyingeducation and training in the digital era as one of the priorities for theyears to come.

The OIF will consolidate new forms ofcooperation between partners, to create opportunities for Vietnamese studentsto study in Europe, Canada, or Africa and vice-versa, he noted, adding that itwill also create the conditions for French-language teachers in Vietnam toengage in training in other francophone countries.

He said the OIF is arranging a week-long trip toVietnam by an economic, trade, and investment promotion delegation, withrepresentatives from Europe, Canada, and Africa, to discuss economic issues,seek partnerships, and, possibly, sign agreements.

During the interview, Oussouman spoke highly of Vietnam’sresponse to COVID-19 as well as its people’s trust in government decisions,adding that he was impressed that the administration, military, police, civilsociety, young people, and every resource in society have all been mobilised tofight COVID-19.

Applauding the solidarity Vietnam has shown inthe fight, he stressed that many support programmes and activities have beencarried out to help disadvantaged people, with “rice ATMs” being a typicalexample.

He also appreciated Vietnam’s support for othercountries, as seen through its presentation of test kits, face masks, and manyother goods./.