At a meeting with French Minister of Defence Jean Yves Le Drian, President Tran Dai Quang reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateral relations, diversification, strengthening co-operation with countries including France. He said Vietnam would do its utmost to sustain its strategic partnership with France and support France’s efforts to maintain peace, stability, and co-operation in the region.
The state president said Vietnam was ready to serve as a gateway for France to enhance co-operation with ASEAN. He said he hoped the French government would soon approve the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. He urged the respective ministries of defence to boost co-operation. The French defence minister praised Vietnam’s role in building the ASEAN Community. He said he hoped to boost closer ties especially defence co-operation, with Vietnam.
At a meeting with Indian Defence Minister Monohar Parika the same day, President Quang said the Communist Party of Vietnam and state supported co-operation between the two defence ministries. The Indian defence minister said he believed the strategic friendship partnership between Vietnam and India and bilateral co-operation between the two defence ministries would further develop in the near future.
