The agreement was reached during talks in Hanoi on November 12 between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his visiting French counterpart Francois Fillon.

They pledged to create favourable conditions for their business communities to invest and operate in their respective countries, giving priority to infrastructure, energy, aerospace, telecommunications, science-technology, environmental protection, and responses to climate change.

They said the two countries will work closely together to make the 15^th UN climate change conference in Copenhagen (COP 15) a great success.

Mr Dung described Mr Fillon’s first visit as a good chance for Vietnam and France to bring bilateral relationship to a new plane.

The Vietnamese government considers France a special partner and gives this European Union country high priority in its foreign policy, said Mr Dung.    

He expressed his hope that France will expand its historical and cultural influence on Vietnam into a greater economic, trade and investment presence in the country.

He said that, with its increasing role in Southeast Asia and as an important ASEAN member, Vietnam is willing to serve as a bridge between France and Southeast Asia. He said he hopes that France will be Vietnam’s gateway to Europe.

Mr Dung praised bilateral cooperation in education and training, including the imminent establishment of the new Hanoi Science and Technology University. He proposed that France support Vietnam in halting a EU plan to impose anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese leather shoes imported to the EU.

He also praised France’s role in organising the Hue Festival which takes place every two years in Vietnam, and in supporting preparations for Hanoi’s 1,000^th anniversary celebration in 2010.

For his part, PM Fillon acknowledged Vietnam’s development achievements during the Renewal and international integration process, especially its socio-political stability and high economic growth despite global economic woes.

He said France is committed to increasing comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, especially in sustainable development.  

He said France will send a delegation to a Vietnam-France decentralisation conference in Hai Phong city later this year to step up cooperation between their localities.

He hailed Vietnam’s role and position in the region and the rest of the world and said the two countries need to cooperate closely at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the UN Security Council, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the ASEAN-EU summit and the community of French-speaking countries (Francophonie).  

He expressed his belief that Vietnam will do an admirable job when it takes over the ASEAN Presidency in 2010.

The two PMs agreed to organise a Vietnam Year in France and a France Year in Vietnam in the near future.

After the talks, they witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements, including those to build the new Hanoi Science and Technology University, to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, to finance small satellite projects used to observe natural resources, the environment and fishing boats, and to increase capital to the Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station urban rail line project.

The two countries also signed cooperation agreements on national defence, cultural centres, the maintenance of social order and safety, and a deal to provide loans to the Huoi Quang hydro-electric power plant.     

On this occasion, Vietnam Airlines and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) signed a memorandum of understanding to develop Vietnam’s aviation industry and cut a deal for the purchase of France civilian aircraft.

This is the first time a French Prime Minister has visited Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic ties.

Mr Fillon, who began a three-day visit to Vietnam on November 12, is being accompanied by representatives of 40 leading French groups and companies specialising in energy, aerospace and transport.