Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has reaffirmed Viet Nam's policy of valuing and nurturing its strategic partnership with France, highlighting economic cooperation as an important pillar.

Hai made the statement during a reception for Fleur Pellerin, France's current Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Tourism Promotion and French Nationals Abroad yesterday.

However, the deputy prime minister said trade and investment potential remained untapped, and suggested that France continue to work closely with Viet Nam to speed up effective implementation of bilateral projects and enable French businesses to invest in renewable energy, high-tech industries and green technology.

Hai also proposed that France diversify forms of official development assistance (ODA) provision, such as direct loans, decentralisation, and public-private partnership.

He expressed his hope that France would help push for the signing of a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Union by the end of this year, as well as for the EU's early recognition of Viet Nam as a market economy.

Pellerin said she was pleased with the development of the strategic partnership between the two countries in politics, culture, diplomacy and economics, following the official visit to France by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung last September.

She said she hoped that the Vietnamese Government would continue creating favourable conditions for French enterprises to invest in long-term ventures in Viet Nam.

She also said France appreciated the stance and measures taken by Viet Nam in dealing with tensions in the East Sea.

VNS/VNN