Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh

(VOVworld)- French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is visiting Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. During their talks in Hanoi on Sunday, the two Foreign Ministers reviewed the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in recent years. They discussed ways to boost cooperation, especially in economics and trade to match with the development of bilateral ties. They agreed to increase delegation exchanges, strengthen current dialogue mechanisms in diplomacy, national defense, economics, trade, investment, science, technology and cooperation between their localities. The two pledged to facilitate French business groups and enterprises to seek opportunities and expand business in Vietnam, especially in infrastructure, energy, transport, space aviation, health care, agriculture and food processing- the areas that France has advantage in. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in education and training, culture, and science and technology through the Hanoi Technology University project, increase scholarship for Vietnamese students, enhance teaching Vietnamese and French in their secondary schools and facilitate the operation of the Vietnamese French Culture Centers and activities to mark the 40^th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. The two Foreign Ministers discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, promised to closely cooperate in regional and global forums. France supports the resolution of East Sea disputes through peaceful means based on international law and ensuring peace, stability and development in the region. The French Foreign Minister praised recent efforts to build a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea between ASEAN and China. France pledged to support Vietnam to boost cooperation with the EU. As a coordinator of ASEAN-EU relations, Vietnam promised to support France to strengthen relations with ASEAN.