(VNF) - The blooming bilateral ties between two countries have gone beyond the Embassy's figures and facts. It is more special because of the bonds between peoples of two countries, said French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary.

The statement was made by the ambassador in an interview with The world and Vietnam news on the 44th founding anniversary of Vietnam – France diplomatic relations. (April 12, 1973 – 2017)

The ambassador was delighted to review recent milestones in bilateral relations as well as reveal several key points in future cooperations in three key areas: economics, national defence and people-to-people relations.

Overview of France - Vietnam strategic partnership

Bilateral relations between France and Vietnam were upgraded to strategic partners in 2013, Lortholary recalled. The relations have growned even more dynamic since the state-level visit of President François Hollande in Sep 2016.

Vietnam is part of the South East Asia, a region with abundant potentials to benefit France in terms of politic, culture and economics. More importantly, to both countries, tight connection in the past and the common vision of future partnership are strong foundation for development of bilateral ties.

France therefore prioritize the partnership with Vietnam in South East Asia.

Economics cooperation

The ambassador recalled the willingness of President Hollande to upgrade economic cooperation to match with the level of trust in political coordination between two countries.

The visit of the French president has resulted in considerable progress in economic cooperations, including the deal to purchase 40 air crafts signed between Vietnamese air carriers (Vietjet Air, Jestar Pacific, Vietnam Airlines) and credible French suppliers Airbus, which worths USD 6.5 billion in total. The new generation aircraft is one of the key factors helping ensure Vietnam Airlines’ four-star service quality and boost its five-star service upgrade program in the near future, said the VN Economy.

Besides, the ambassador pleasantly mentioned the fruitful negotiation session between the Airports Corporation of Vietnam and the Aéroport De Paris, which is expected to pave the way to successful partnership in the near future.

The state-level visit of President Hollande to Vietnam in 2016 opens abundant opportunities for both sides. (source: The world & VN)

Lortholary also highlighted a recent milestone in Vietnam - France partnership: the contract signed between three French railway enterprises namely Alstom, Thalès, Colas Rail and Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MRB) to supply a metro system for the 12.5 km-long Hanoi metro line 3.

The line will start its commercial operation by the end of 2021, capable of carrying 8,600 People Per Hour and Per Direction (PPHPD). The capacity will be progressively increased within 10 years after its operation commencement, according to Alstom group.

The joint project is considered to benefit Vietnam's public transportation in multi aspects, as France is one of the world leaders in integrated railway systems, Lortholary noted.

Besides those symbolic achievements, the advancement in trading relations between two countries’ small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) are also remarkable, the ambassador said.

The number of French entrepreneurs choosing Vietnam as their startups destination are sharply increasing, leading to the formation of the first branded startups network of France in South East Asia in late 2016.

To illustrate the point, the ambassador cited various French firms, which are being operated effectively in pharmacy, cosmetic, food industry in Vietnam.

He also mentioned the Bel group - France's world leading firm in cheese portions manufacturing, has recently planned for a 4-fold productivity increase in Vietnam, aiming to expand its market to other South East Asia countries.

National defence

According to the French diplomat, bilateral ties in national defence will be consolidated by the 6-day visit of France's second largest naval unit to Vietnam, with one vessel to dock at Vung Tau and another at HCM City.

Welcoming ceremony of French naval vessel BPC Tonenerre L9014 visit to Cam Ranh Harbor in May 2016 (source: info.net)

Besides, the France also hopes to support Vietnam in national defense by supplying advanced military equipments and facilities, similar to what the European country has offered to Singapre, Malaysia and Australia, said the ambassador.

People-to-people link

The implementation of fostering people-to-people link, according to the ambassador, is on the right track. He proved the point by mentioning the increasing number of Vietnamese students studying in France. "They eye France as the first destination when it comes to studying in Europe", said the diplomat.

"We are glad to witness this trend, however, we still aims for stronger connection, with more Vietnamese students studying in France." he said, adding that Vietnamese students in France now can take part in training program instructed in English.

More and more Vietnamese students are heading to France. (illustrative photo: French Alumni in Vietnam)

In response to the question on the implementation of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) against the backdrop of emerging popularism and anti-globalization trend, the ambassador still strongly believed in the bright prospect of FTA in Vietnam, as the Europe Union believed "peace and prosperity can only be attained when inpidual's freedom in ideas sharing, commodities exchange and cross-borders travel are facilitated" the diplomat emphasized.

The supports of EU for implementation of FTA in Vietnam will vastly boost the link between Vietnamese citizens and those from the union, he stated.

EU will push forward its efforts in increasing opportunities to strengthen connection between the young generation in broad range of fields. "The future of the next generation depends on building link, not border wall", said the ambassador.

According to him, the blossoming bilateral ties are not only reflected in figures and facts, but more specially, it is nourished by the strong bonds between people of two countries.

The genuine friendship of the young generations nowadays and the traditional strong ties in past days are key motivation for him to work harder for the growth of Vietnam-France relations in future, the ambassador shared./.

( Phi Yen )