Strengthening cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities
From June 9-12, 2013, in Brest city, the 9th Vietnam - France Decentralized Cooperation Conference (cooperation between localities) took place with the theme "Towards a new model of development: Responsibilities and opportunities of Vietnamese and French localities, as well as local partners". The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. Attending the Conference were 350 delegates from 16 provinces and cities of Vietnam and 22 provinces, cities and organizations of France. On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and French Prime Minister Jean Marc Ayrault sent congratulatory letters to the Conference.
At the conference, delegates from both sides focused on analyzing, evaluating, and exchanging experiences in cooperation between localities and existing issues; discussing and agreeing on directions for strengthening cooperation to create a more favorable decentralized cooperation environment, suitable to the current situation through a new cooperation model with a sustainable development orientation, sharing and mutual benefit, and enhancing the operational efficiency of local governments.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (second from left)
at the closing ceremony of the conference
Speaking to the Vietnamese and French press present at the conference, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed: "The contents and topics discussed at this 9th conference such as education, urban planning, environment... all meet the urgent needs of Vietnamese localities and are also suitable for the interests of French localities."
Responding to a reporter from VTV stationed in France, Mr. Dominique Cap, Mayor of Plougastel City - a city that has close cooperation with Hai Phong and Ha Long, outlined a new direction for more effective decentralized cooperation: "In my opinion, in the next phase, we need to pay more attention to quality than quantity in cooperation. Secondly, we must really focus on local projects, projects that directly serve to improve the quality of life for people, on the environment, food safety... It is also necessary to increase the number of localities participating as active subjects in decentralized cooperation."
Signing of Cooperation Agreement between Tran Phu High School for the Gifted, Hai Phong and La Croix Rouge High School, Brest
At the end of the Conference, localities of the two countries signed 7 cooperation agreements in the fields of medicine, education, and regional development in Vietnam, including: Cooperation agreement between Tran Phu High School for the Gifted, Hai Phong and La Croix Rouge High School, Brest; Cooperation agreement between Hai Phong Medical University and Brest University; Cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Institute of Marine Resources and Environment and the French Development Agency; Cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Institute of Marine Medicine and the Vietnam-France Emergency Medicine Association (AFRAVIETMUR); Cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Institute of Marine Medicine and the University of West Brittany and Brest University (re-signed); Memorandum of Understanding on the results of discussions on the cooperation program between Hai Duong province and Sein Saint Denis province in 2013 and the following years; Memorandum of Understanding between the French Development Agency and the Brest Urban Community on funding the development of Vietnam's regions.
On the sidelines of the Conference, many localities and businesses from both sides met and discussed ways to strengthen and connect cooperation based on the strengths and needs of each locality (Ba Ria - Vung Tau - Brittany; Dien Bien, Lam Dong, Kon Tum - Brest; Dong Nai - Rhone Alpes; Dien Bien - Midi Pyrenee...). Also at the Conference, there were exhibition booths introducing Vietnamese localities, attracting the attention of the public and the French press.
The 9th Decentralized Cooperation Conference is an important event within the framework of the Vietnam-France Year 2013-2014, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The 10th Vietnam-France Decentralized Cooperation Conference will take place in Can Tho City in 2016./.
According to (vov.vn) - LT
