At a reception to welcome the French Minister of Foreign Trade Nicole Bricq in Hanoi on April 9 Deputy PM Ninh specifically expressed his desire that Vietnam and France improve their trade relations.
The two countries should also speed up the completion of some key partnering projects including the construction of the urban railway No. 3 in Hanoi and equipping the Can Tho General Hospital, he said.
He added that Vietnam is accelerating negotiations with the European Union on a free trade area between the two countries.
The Deputy PM expressed his pleasure that the relations between Vietnam and France over the last four decades have continued to develop in a positive direction.
He stated he highly values strong ties between the two countries in various fields, including the exchange of delegations and co-operation in culture, art, science and technology.
In the economic field, France is one of the leading countries in Europe on trade, investment and development partnering with Vietnam he added and it is also the oldest and largest European donor of official development assistance to the country.
In 2012, Vietnam generated US$2.16 billion from exports to France, while its import turnover reached US$1.59 billion.
For her part, Bricq expressed her wish that the Vietnamese Government will support and create conditions conducive for French businesses to operate in the country.
In the coming time, France and Vietnam should foster their friendship and multifaceted ties, which contribute to the development of mutually beneficial ties between the countries.
