The French President announced that he is very interested in relations with Vietnam and will visit Vietnam this year.

“2014 has seen a series of impressive activities celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France. I am very attached to and interested in the relationship with Vietnam and will visit Vietnam this year.” That was the statement of the French President at the Asian Lunar New Year celebration held at the Elysee Palace on the evening of February 16.

French President Francois Hollande

In his speech to a large number of representatives of Asian communities living and working in France, French President Francois Hollande emphasized Asia's long history of attachment to France, affirming that the generations of Asian descendants living and working in France are also generations of the French Republic.

The French President emphasized his wishes and expectations for the new year 2015 - the year of the Goat: "The goat is very approachable but also very creative and bold. Therefore, in the new year, the Asian community and France should together create new ways of cooperation and create new projects."

The French President recalled major activities demonstrating strong developments in relations between France and China, France and India, France and Japan, and many other Asian countries over the past year.

President Hollande also expressed his condolences to the Japanese people over the death of two journalists killed by the Islamic State terrorist organization; at the same time, he affirmed France's determination to promote defense cooperation with Japan to deal with terrorists.

Regarding relations with Vietnam, President Hollande emphasized that he is very interested in Vietnam: “I just had a meeting with French people of Vietnamese origin. I am very attached to and interested in relations with Vietnam. Last year, the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations was a series of impressive activities, an important occasion to promote cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of language and culture. Vietnam is a Francophone country and the two countries signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2013. And this year I will visit Vietnam.”

Ambassador Nguyen Ngoc Son and Vietnamese representatives at the ceremony

At the end of his speech, President Hollande affirmed: "France needs a strong Asian presence on the international stage."

“Europe and Asia have valuable links and share common goals, in the fight against climate change, in trade and economic growth. I would also like to mention the common views on independence, sovereignty, peace, which both sides share. There are security issues that Asian countries are very concerned about and countries want to resolve long-standing disputes that will be resolved peacefully, diplomatically and France is always ready to play its role in that,” said President Hollande.

Speaking with VOV reporter, Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam - Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in France - the only Vietnamese among 10 Asian representatives to meet privately with President Hollande a few minutes before the official ceremony, said he wishes to promote France - Vietnam relations more effectively in the new year 2015.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam said: “In the short meeting with President Hollande, I raised three points: first, how in the new year 2015, we need to strongly promote economic, investment and trade cooperation between the two countries so that the bilateral relationship will be more effective and substantial after the 2013-2014 cross-year. Second, I emphasized that our Vietnam has been a member of the Francophone Organization for a long time. President Hollande is very interested in this factor and how our Vietnam can maintain and develop better not only the use of French but also related issues in many fields of culture, economy and investment. And third, the Vietnamese community in France as well as in Vietnam is looking forward to President Hollande's visit to Vietnam and the President affirmed that he will visit Vietnam this year”./.

According to VOV