Mr Manh made the statement while receiving France’s newly appointed ambassador to Vietnam Jean Francois Girault in Hanoi on March 18.

He spoke highly of the positive development of Vietnam-France relations in recent times and expressed his belief that the ambassador will work hard to strengthen ties between the two countries.

For his part, ambassador Girault praised Vietnam’s Renewal achievements and its increasing role in the region and the world, especially when the country is currently chairing ASEAN in 2010.

He vowed to try his best to realize cooperation agreements signed by French and Vietnamese leaders to raise the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership in the near future.