France continues helping Vietnam in many fields such as infrastructure construction, economic development, agricultural and rural development. This is the affirmation of outgoing French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean François Blarel, at the meeting with correspondents on French National Day, July 14.
France has elected its new president. How does the political change influence Vietnam-France economic relations? Which priorities will be given to developing the relationship with Vietnam in the coming time when the new ambassador arrives?
Although the political leadership in France has changed, foreign policy toward Vietnam has no major changes. By late 2006, a framework agreement for cooperation in 2006-2010 was signed between the two nations. This matches Vietnam’s social and economic development in the next five years.
France continues granting ODA capital to Vietnam, with priorities in fields like tertiary education. The cooperation between Vietnam and France in education and training has been brought to a new high. Specifically, French university centres were set up in Vietnam National University of Hanoi and Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City last year. In this field, we want to intensify the cooperative relationship because the priorities introduced by the Vietnamese Government to its university education system development are on the right track.
The task of a French ambassador to Vietnam is to how to help carry out the goals the two sides have pledged. For example, France pledged assistance to Vietnam in the fields of infrastructure construction, economic development, agricultural and rural development. Another task of the French ambassador in the coming time is to assist a new wave of investment from France into Vietnam. The clear evidence for this move is the visit of French leading firms to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in the previous week.
You will wrap up your three-year tenure in Vietnam in late July. What do you think about the development of Vietnam?
I am strongly impressed with the dynamic growth of Vietnam, especially the economy. Vietnam has made rapid progress that France took a much longer period of time to achieve. Vietnam has major advantages to maintain high economic growth, including a young, dynamic and industrious population, and rich natural resources for industrial production like crude oil and minerals. Vietnam also has valuable architecture legacy and this is an advantage for Vietnam to develop its tourism industry.
However, Vietnam has to overcome several challenges, including limited university education and worker training reform. Besides, Vietnam has to increase the value of its products instead of producing raw farm products or low-value industrial products.
Another challenge for Vietnam is the environment conditions following rapid economic development and expanding urban infrastructure. We must seek sustainable economic growth, and we need to pay more attention to water and air quality.
After you return to the French Foreign Ministry, will you continue contributing to the relationship between the two countries?
After my tenure in Vietnam, I will return France but I don’t know what position I will have. No matter what I do, the three year tenure in Vietnam is a nice memory. I will always pay attention to the relationship between France and Vietnam and to the development of Vietnam.
Thu Huyen
Vietnamese
