At a reception for Christine Lagarde, PM Dung expressed his pleasure at the fruitful development of Vietnam-France relations in various areas, saying he believed that the relationship will continue to grown and flourish.

Vietnam wished the two sides would make every effort to lift their relations to the strategic partnership for mutual benefits and that France would continue its official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam, he said.

Although France is the leading European partner in Vietnam in terms of investment and trade, the two countries’ potential for cooperation remains greater, the PM noted.

His view was echoed by the French Minister, who said the two sides have a lot of potential in trade, investment, training and education and culture.

Mentioning French-invested projects in Vietnam, especially energy and underground electric trains in Hanoi, PM Dung pledged to instruct relevant Vietnamese agencies to engage in discussions with French businesses while the French Minister affirmed that France will continue to assist Vietnam in such projects and suggested the two sides form a working group to boost the implementation process.

At another reception, for OFID Director General, PM Dung thanked OFID for pouring US$161 million into 17 projects in irrigation, transport and healthcare in Vietnam, contributing to the country’s hunger elimination and poverty reduction.

He proposed OFID continue its assistance for ongoing projects and provide non-refundable aid for health and education projects in poor localities.

He affirmed his support for the OFID programme,that gives loans to the private sector, and expressed his belief that the relations between Vietnam and OFID will develop further.
For his part, the OFID Director General said since its establishment 20 years ago, the fund has assisted 120 countries worldwide, and Vietnam was one of its priorities.

OFID-funded projects in Vietnam, especially in irrigation, health care and poverty reduction, have proved effective, he said, adding that OFID has also supported other areas such as food security, energy and commercial and private loans.

Vietnam pledges closer ties with Japan, India

At a meeting with Yoshihiko Noda, Japanese Finance Minister the same day 4 in Hanoi, PM Dung said Vietnam attaches special importance to cooperating with Japan and expects the two sides to effectively implement deals agreed on by the two countries leaders, especially promoting cooperation in the fields of infrastructure and energy.

Mr Dung also thanked Japan for its assistance to Vietnam and said he hoped the two sides would soon sign an agreement on building the nuclear power plant No 2 and exploiting rare earth minerals in Vietnam.

He expressed his deep sympathy for the great loss caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, stressing that Vietnam would spare no efforts to help Japan overcome the challenges and achieve early recovery and stable development.

Finance Minister Noda affirmed that Japan will respond to requests from Vietnam and fulfill its commitments to providing ODA assistance for Vietnam’s major projects as previously agreed by the two sides.

At a separate meeting with Pranab Mukerjee, Indian Finance Minister, PM Dung said that the two countries should make greater efforts to raise bilateral cooperative ties to a new height, which is growing but still far from matching the potential of each side.

The PM affirmed that Vietnam will create favourable conditions for Indian businesses investing in the country, especially Tata Group and Bank of India’s opening of a branch in Vietnam.

Speaking highly of India’s role in the region and the world, Mr. Dung affirmed that Vietnam supports India’s further cooperation with ASEAN and its policy toward the bloc.

Mr Mukerjee said the two sides should strongly promote trade ties, and make the successful project of Tata Group become a model for Indian businesses investing in Vietnam.

The Japanese Finance Minister and his counterpart from India are currently in Hanoi for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) 44th Annual Meeting.