PARIS — General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Nguyễn Phú Trọng yesterday expressed his delight at visiting France’s Choisy Le Roi City, which witnessed negotiations on the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Việt Nam from May 1968 to March 1973. 

Trọng said his visit to the southeastern outlying city in Val-de-Marne department, Ile-de-France administrative region, was special as it was on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, the fifth anniversary of Việt Nam – France strategic partnership and the 45th signing anniversary of Paris Agreement. 

He extended the most sincere thanks to French friends and lauded the city’s administration for maintaining relic sites linked with Paris Agreement negotiations and signing, saying that they are ever-lasting symbols of Việt Nam – France friendship. 

Choisy Le Roi has formed twinning relationship with Hà Nội’s Đống Đa District since 1973 and assisted the district in building schools and medical stations. 

In his speech, Governor of Choisy Le Roi city Didier Guillaume recalled that 45 years ago, the city launched a movement in support of Việt Nam and its struggle against imperialists and the use of massive destruction weapons, which helped put an end to the inexcusable war.

He said friendship with Việt Nam proved the city’s determination to maintain core values of humanity. 

French friends said though 45 years passed, they are still proud of making part of contributions to Việt Nam’s war for justice in the past. 

The Vietnamese Party leader also visited the square named “Paris Agreement” which was inaugurated in 2013 on the occasion of the 40th signing anniversary of Paris Agreement, and met French friends. 

Trọng and his entourage arrived in Paris yesterday morning, beginning the official visit to France. A welcome ceremony was solemnly held in rituals for a head of state before the Vietnamese delegation headed to Choisy Le Roi City.

Later yesterday, he met young Vietnamese intellectuals in France, who wished that they would make further contributions to the nation. 

Trọng affirmed that the Party and State of Việt Nam always appreciated intelligentsia, consider overseas Vietnamese intellectuals an invaluable resource for the nation, and frequently issue suitable policies and mechanisms to further uphold their contributions to national development. — VNS