Vietnam attaches great importance to cooperation in the Francophone community

General Secretary of the International Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo speaks at the Vietnam-France High-Level Economic Forum. (Source: VNA)

“Mission” of development and recovery

This is the first official visit of Ms. Louise Mushikiwabo to a member country after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Francophone countries as well as the international community are eager to promote a rapid recovery after the pandemic. Translate.

The trip is also set in the context that the OIF is advocating to play an active role and make more effective contributions to the joint efforts of the international community on peace, cooperation and development, and strengthen the connection with an international community. One of the most dynamic regions in the world is Asia-Pacific.

The presence of the Secretary General in Vietnam this time is also a continuation of extensive high-level exchanges between Vietnam and Francophonie, especially following the visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the headquarters. OIF in Paris in November 2021.

The visit is of great interest to OIF because it is also the trip of the first Francophone economic and trade promotion delegation to implement the Francophonie Economic Strategy 2020-2025. The fact that Francophone chose Vietnam as the first destination shows special importance to Vietnam’s role in promoting Francophone economic cooperation.

On this occasion, about 102 international businessmen and economic entities from 24 members of OIF and more than 420 Vietnamese enterprises had the opportunity to meet and discuss business and investment projects, focusing on three sectors: agriculture-food processing, sustainable energy, digital goods and services.

Through the visit, the OIF wants to support member countries and governments, especially the visiting countries, to have the opportunity to promote cooperation in sustainable economic recovery, which has been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. -19.

On the Vietnamese side, with cooperation orientations, Vietnam can increase the diversification of import and export markets for a number of important economic products and activities in which we have strengths, especially rice. cashew, coffee, cotton, digital services; connecting and promoting cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and our Ministry of Industry and Trade with Francophone partners, between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of other countries Francophone members; contribute to concretizing the policy of diplomacy for development and the Project on the development of relations between the African Union and Vietnam in the period of 2020-2025.

Pioneering and core role

As a member of the Francophone community since 1979, Vietnam has always endeavored to promote cooperation between Vietnam and the Francophone community; is an active and responsible member of the community, playing a pivotal role in the Francophone movement in the Asia-Pacific region.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son holds talks with Secretary General of the Francophonie Internationale Louise Mushikiwabo on an official visit to Vietnam on March 24. (Source: VNA)

Over the past time, Vietnam has had many initiatives to promote cooperation and strengthen dialogue among member countries of the Community. The participation of senior Vietnamese leaders in Francophonie summits demonstrates Vietnam’s importance in cooperation with the Francophone community. The most striking impression is probably the seventh Francophonie Summit held in Hanoi in November 1997.

Currently, Vietnam is considered a member of the core developing group, having a voice in the planning and implementation of the Francophonie’s cooperation strategy.

Currently, Vietnam is deploying to join the peacekeeping force in Central Africa, a member of Francophonie, and the OIF is promoting cooperation, sharing experience in development and reconstruction between Vietnam and a number of French countries. unstable languages ​​like Central Africa, Mali or Haiti.

Vietnam has increased coordination and mutual support with Francophone countries for candidate files at the United Nations and international organizations as well as issues of security and development interests of Vietnam. including the East Sea issue.