(VOVworld) – French President Francois Hollande has said that he is concerned about relations with Vietnam and will visit Vietnam and meet with its Prime Minister this year.
In an interview with VOV correspondent in Paris on Monday, President Hollande said that he was born in the year of the Horse, which symbolizes energy, strength, dynamics, and daring. He said that daring is essential to create breakthroughs and seek new solutions in bilateral relations: “France is enjoying a brilliant cultural cooperative season with Vietnam. I’m concerned about relations with Vietnam and its participation in the French speaking community. We are bound by history and the active Vietnamese community in France.”
President Hollande proposed simplifying entry and administrative procedures for Asian businesses to travel to and invest in France, for Asian students and tourists who want to study in or visit France.
Other senior French officials were optimistic about the prospects for Vietnamese-French relations. Chairman of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group Pacal Deguilhem told VOV: “The Vietnam and France year in each other’s country will help to boost bilateral cooperation in politics and economics. Cooperation between the two legislative bodies has been consolidated and this year the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group will visit and work with Vietnamese legislators. Our cooperation will be in both people’s interests.”