Paris (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Franceheld a ceremony on September 14 to celebrate the 78th National Dayof Vietnam (September 2), drawing nearly 400 guests who are from localadministrations, organisations, the International Organisation of LaFrancophonie (OIF), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as wellas the Vietnamese community in France.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang highlightedthe socio-economic achievements of Vietnam and the country’s friendship andcooperation with partners around the world as well as its risingposition in the world arena.

He reviewed the outcomes of collaboration between Vietnam and France,underlining that the visit by Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son toFrance in June marked a strong growth in the bilateral ties on the thresholdsof the 10th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership.

On the occasion, Son made the first visit to the OIF headquarters in Paris, met with OIFSecretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo and attended the OECD Ministerial CouncilMeeting.

According to the diplomat, the Vietnam visits by Presidentof the French Senate Gérard Larcher in December 2022 and French Minister forForeign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad Olivier Becht in March2023 as well as the organisation of the 12th Vietnam-Francedecentralised cooperation conference in April 2023 contributed to spotlighting thediversity and growth of the relations between the two countries.

Thang affirmed that the resumption of exchangeand cooperation programmes in all fields and all levels has motivated newinitiatives in bilateral and multilateral issues, contributing to fostering thelinkage between Vietnam and international partners based in Paris, and creatingnew momentum for the country’s tireless efforts for peace, security andeconomic development.

He underlined the coordination between Vietnam and the OECD andthe country’s role as the co-chair of the OECD Southeast Asia RegionalProgramme. On behalf of his ASEAN colleagues, Thang stated that theASEAN Committee in Paris always works in the spirit of cohesion andresponsibility, committed to being a good partner for all. ASEAN and the EU arestrategic partners, sharing common interests for a peaceful, stable andprosperous region.

For his part, Director for Asia and Ocean at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign AffairsBenoit Guillée extended greetings to the Vietnamese people on Vietnam's National Day, and reiterated priorities in the future orientations of bilateralrelations.

Guillée said that as the world is being affected by theRussia-Ukraine conflict, along with issues of maintaining peace and socialstability, France is focusing on strengthening cooperation on security, especiallyin the Indo-Pacific region. He also emphasised other priorities such as climatechange, economic cooperation and strengthening links among civil societies,especially in the field of decentralised cooperation.

He said that France is ready to welcome about 10 volunteersof Vietnam to the 2024 Paris Olympic and will create the best conditions for themto come to France.

France is making special efforts to encourage Vietnamesestudents to study in France by providing them with the third largest number of scholarships in theworld, he said. The official also called for joint efforts to foster the soundpartnership and strengthen the friendship between France and Vietnam./.