(VOVworld) – The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-France Friendship Association held a ceremony to mark the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-France diplomatic ties in Hanoi on Wednesday. France has been Vietnam’s top European partner with 2-way trade totaling 3.2 billion USD and foreign direct investment 3.14 billion USD. The two countries are currently implementing cooperative projects in infrastructure, energy, transportation, and aviation. They have witnessed positive outcomes of programs in other fields like education, healthcare, and technology. French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean Noel Poirier said: "Vietnam occupies a special position in the minds of the French people both at present and in the past. We are celebrating the 40^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties but in fact our relationship was established a long time ago. France understands the importance of the year 1973 in Vietnam’s contemporary history. That’s why we have decided to organize the France-Vietnam Year".

French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean Noel Poirier delivers speech at the ceremony. (Photo: CPV)

Nguyen Huy Quang, Chairman of the Vietnam-France Friendship Association, said that the ceremony is the prelude to the France-Vietnam Year 2013, an occasion to reaffirm their eternal friendship.