Paris (VNA) – Some French and internationalofficials have applauded the Vietnam - France relations as well as theSoutheast Asian country’s contributions to the United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2023.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Senator Jeremy Bacchi,member of the National Council of the French Communist Party (PCF) andSecretary of the PCF organisation in Bouches-du-Rhone department, noted withsatisfaction that the two countries have maintained and unceasingly developedclose-knit relations across the board, including in economy and culture.

A number of activities havebeen held in 2023 to celebrate bilateral ties, further enhance friendship, and helpthe French people learn more about the culture and history of Vietnam as wellas the Vietnamese people’s optimism during the realisation of set targets, hesaid.

Francois Corbin, Vice President of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) International and Chairman of the France- Vietnam Business Council at MEDEF, said he is impressed with Vietnam’s dynamism and growthover the past years, adding that with its current growth, the country willcontinue developing in the coming years.

Vietnam has businesses with effective operations, high demand forinfrastructure development, an expanding middle class, as well as big attentionto environmental protection and climate change fight, he opined.

French businesses ownsufficient capacity and wish to develop cooperation with Vietnamese firms andleaders to jointly work towards a future of common prosperity, Corbinremarked.

For her part, Helene Luc, Honorary Senator of France andformer Chairwoman of the France - Vietnam Friendship Association, cited then FrenchPresident Jacques Chirac as saying during his visit to Vietnam in 2004 that thevoice of Vietnam touched the heart of the French people. This was repeated by Presidentof the French Senate Gerard Larcher when he visited Vietnam in 2022.

Luc said such a comment reflects all the sentiments the two peoples havegiven to each other, and that she hopes this voice will become even stronger sothat the France - Vietnam friendship will grow further.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Baker, who will serve as Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam fromJanuary 2024, said the country boasts a diverse culture and has won recognitionfrom UNESCO for not only tangible and intangible heritage but also geo-parks orbiosphere reserves.

Bilateral cooperation potential is not limited to heritagepreservation but has also covered education, science, and environment forsustainable development. Many educational projects have been carried outfruitfully in multiple localities. Besides, the country is one of the mostactive partners of UNESCO in terms of environmental protection, especially inbiodiversity conservation and water resources protection, he elaborated.

TheUNESCO official expressed his hope that Vietnam, which has recorded boomingeconomic development, will establish itself as a bright spot in the region andthe world in terms of connecting economic development with social securityensuring, cultural preservation, and environmental protection.

Bakeradded that he hopes among the many cooperation opportunities in the time ahead,Vietnam and UNESCO will join hands to successfully carry out cultural,educational, and scientific programmes./.