Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn and Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo. — VNA/VNS Photo An Đăng

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam attaches importance to its cooperation with the Francophone community and pledges to contribute to the realisation of the shared goals, Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn told Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) Louise Mushikiwabo in Hà Nội on Friday.

Sơn expressed pleasure at welcoming her back to Việt Nam at a pivotal moment following the end of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Việt Nam, the country's major political gathering held in January.

He affirmed that the congress had set key development goals and orientations for the coming time, including strengthening the implementation of the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, alongside the diversification and multilateralisation of external relations.

Việt Nam remains committed to being a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community, including the Francophone community, the Deputy PM said, hailing the Secretary-General and the OIF’s contributions to fostering cooperation for peace, security, and sustainable development around the globe and within the Francophone space.

The host welcomed the upcoming 20th Francophonie Summit to be hosted by Cambodia in November, the second time the event will take place in the Asia-Pacific. He voiced confidence in its success and its potential to establish key directions for the community's future trajectory.

Việt Nam stands ready to cooperate with the OIF and Cambodia to ensure the summit’s success and make practical and substantive contributions to the event, he said.

Sơn also put forth several proposals to deepen ties within the community and between Việt Nam and OIF going forwards. These include sustained focus on French-language education and instruction, economic partnerships, youth's and women's employment opportunities, sustainable cooperation, and food security. He also stressed the need for Francophone cooperation to reach more localities and regions.

Praising Việt Nam’s remarkable strides in both domestic and foreign affairs and in improving living standards, the Secretary-General affirmed that Việt Nam has left a deep impression and served as a source of pride for the Francophone community and international friends alike.

She commended Việt Nam’s role, standing, and responsible and active contributions within the community, noting that it was an honour for the OIF to continue holding an important place in Việt Nam’s foreign policy of multilateralism.

Affirming Việt Nam’s key role for the OIF in the region, Mushikiwabo expressed her hope that Việt Nam will continue with active contributions and concrete proposals at the 20th Francophonie Summit, thereby sharing its valuable insights on ensuring peace, stability, and national development. — VNA/VNS