Vietnamese Prime Minister greets French Ambassador

Hanoi, November 25 (VNA) – Vietnam hopes France will expand investment projects in Vietnam, and enhance cooperation in culture and tourism with the country, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told French newly-appointed Ambassador to Vietnam Bertrand Lortholary in Hanoi on November 24. The PM highlighted the great potential for the two counties to boost cooperation, especially in the economy. Vietnam will consider implementing the urban railway project funded by France in Hanoi after receiving reports of the Ministry of Finance and the municipal People’s Committee, he stated. The PM also urged the French side to hurry up other European Union member nations to approve the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, thus promoting trade and investment links between the two countries. For his part, Ambassador Lortholary pledged to accelerate the construction of the “France House” project in Ho Chi Minh City and a high school in Hanoi, as well as promote collaboration in television. He asked the two sides to hasten the signing of the project on building a metro line in Hanoi, which is expected to be a symbol of cooperation between the two nations. Franceh commits to double its funding for Vietnam’s climate change adaptation projects, he affirmed, adding that the French Government encourages French firms to work with Vietnam in environmental protection, and water and waste treatment./.