France supports Vietnam's bid for WTO: Chirac

French President Jacques Chirac said in Hanoi Thursday that his country will support Vietnam's bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and will act as a bridge for Vietnam to expand its relations with the European Union (EU).

Chirac made the remarks when he met with Nong Duc Manh, generalsecretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, here on Thursday.

He also expressed the hope that Vietnam in return will serve asa bridge to help France to strengthen its relations with Asia.

Chirac, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam and attending the fifth summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting, assured Nong Duc Manh that France will work hard to bolster its cooperation with Vietnam.

Nong Duc Manh said Vietnam highly values France's position and its time-honored culture, noting that his country places great importance to its ties with France.

He expressed his hope that France will continue providing Vietnam with its support and necessary assistance to boost cooperation between the two countries in the interests of both countries and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world at large.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai also met with Chirac onThursday, during which, he hailed France as Vietnam's top partner in the economic, investment, science-technology and cultural sectors.

The two countries signed a number of major accords during the French leader's visit that lays the ground for the two countries to promote their ties to a new level, said Khai.

Source: Xinhua