Attending the ceremony were Ms.Nguyen Thi Binh, former Vice State President, President of the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation; Mr.Vu Xuan Hong, VUFO’s President; Mr. Nguyen Huy Quang, VFFA's Chairman; Mr. Jean Noel Poirier, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France; French Embassy staff…
Addressing at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Huy Quang praised the close friendship and cooperation relations between the two countries over the past 40 years, and highly appreciated the consistent and unconditional supports of the French people for the Vietnamese people since the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born on September 2nd 1945. The Vietnamese people are deeply grateful to the French people for what they have done to make the international community understand the heavy consequences of toxic chemicals used by the United States Army in South Vietnam, particularly the impact of Agent Orange/dioxin on the people and environment in Vietnam, as well as to promote the international assistance for Vietnam to overcome the war consequences. Mr. Nguyen Huy Quang affirmed that France will always be a priority partner of Vietnam.
On behalf of the Republic of France, Ambassador Jean Noel Poirier expressed his honor to attend the ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnam - France diplomatic ties. He said, the France Year in Vietnam was officially kicked off on April 9th, and France will hold many activities and events to further promote cooperations with Vietnam. He hoped that the deep relationship between France and Vietnam will further enhance in the future./.
