Hanoi (VNA) – President Vo Van Thuong has congratulatedoutgoing French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery on fulfilling tasksduring his tenure in the Southeast Asian countr⛄y.

At a reception for Warnery in Hanoi on July 10, PresidentThuong expressed his belief that in any position, the diplomat will continue servingas a bridge promoting traditional friendship and strategic partnership betweenthe two countries. He took this occasion to thank France for donating millions of vaccine doses to Vietnam,helping the country to successfully cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to boost the bilateral ties in the near future, thePresident suggested both sides continue facilitating meetings and visitsby their leaders. He asked the ambassador to convey his invitation to FrenchPresident Emmanuel Macron, saying that Vietnam is ready to welcome the leader for avisit at a suitable time. President Thuong proposed facilitating the exchange of delegations atthe local level and further promote people-to-people exchanges, therebydeepening the traditional friendship between the two nations. Vietnam welcomes joint programmes and projects between businessesof the two countries and expects that France would soon ratify the EU-VietnamInvestment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to optimise the potential for bilateralcollaboration, he said. Regarding the conservation of cultural worksand architectural heritages with French characteristics in Vietnamese cities and provinces,the President hoped that France will continue with its support to ensure theeffective maintenance efforts.

Speakinghighly of France’s stance on the East Sea issue, the State leader hoped that France wouldcontinue backing ASEAN's and Vietnam's stance on ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigationand overflight in the East Sea, and settling disputes through peacefulmeans in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Conventionon the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Warnery, for his part, thanked Vietnam forpromptly donating masks to Fra🅰nce during COVID-19 pandemic.

He saidFrance advocates strongly developing its ties with Vietnam in various areas both bilaterally and at global and regional forums. As thisyear marks the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and the10th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership, he said President Macronwants to meet with President Thuong soon to discuss comprehensive cooperation,especially in politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, investment, education,health care, energy and climate change response. Franceis also willing to workwith Vietnam to preserve French-style cultural works and architectural heritages,particularly Long Bien bridge, an iconic symbol of Hanoi throughout theyears, he said./.