Receiving a delegation of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group led by its President Christian Poncelet, President Truong Tan Sang has suggested that France step up trade-investment ties with Vietnam and increase ODA to the country. At a meeting with the delegation in Hanoi on Wednesday, President Sang said the Vietnamese Prime Minister will pay a visit to France this month, and during which, the Vietnam-France ties are expected to be enhanced to a strategic partnership.

In such a context, investment and trade ties between Vietnam and France should be upgraded and expanded soon to match their strategic partnership, the President said, adding that France should assist Vietnam in the negotiations with the European Union on a free trade agreement.

In reply, Poncelet agreed that the two countries’ trade and investment relations are yet to reflect their potential, adding that France wants to boost cooperation with Vietnam in various fields.

He also expressed his wish that Vietnam continue serving as a gate to help France further penetrate into the Asian market while France will create favorable conditions for Vietnam to enter the EU market.

The French delegation also had a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung the same day, during which the chairman voiced hope that the two countries’ legislative bodies will continue to share experience in law-making and strengthen delegation exchanges.

The chairman invites the French parliament to attend the 132nd International-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly which Vietnam will host in 2015.

Poncelet told the chairman that France attaches much importance to establishing its strategic partnership with Vietnam, which is expected to bring about practical outcomes for the sake of both countries and peoples.