Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary

At a reception in Hanoi on Wednesday for French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary, whose mission in Vietnam comes to an end, Mr. Phuc said 2020 will be an important year for Vietnam who will assume the post of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and the ASEAN Chair. He said he hopes to receive support from France to jointly contribute to the shared goals for peace, cooperation, and development.

Prime Minister Phuc said Vietnam applauds France’s stance on security and peace in the East Sea and the visits of French warships and airplanes to Vietnam.  He stressed the need to forge closer defense ties between the two countries.

Ambassador  Lortholary said France supports freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea and is more interested in Asia-Pacific, in which Vietnam with its higher role has become an important partner of France in the region.