HÀ NỘI – President Trần Đại Quang arrived in Antananarivo, Madagascar yesterday, beginning his trip to the country to attend the 16th Francophone Summit today and tomorrow, at the invitation of the host country’s President Hery Rajaonarimampianina.
The Vietnamese leader was welcomed at the Ivato international airport by Madagascar’s Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana, Việt Nam’s Consul General in the country Eric Nazaraly and representatives from the summit’s organising board.
The relationship between Việt Nam and the Francophone Community has recorded fruitful developments. Over the last 30 years, especially during periods of economic blockage and embargo, Việt Nam has received much appreciated capital, expertise and technology from the community.
The community also serves as a channel for Việt Nam to enhance bilateral relations with the community’s developed country members.
Việt Nam now has a stronger voice in designing and realising Francophone co-operation strategies.

The country has been elected to various important positions in the community, such as President of the Permanent Council of the International Organisation of La Francophonie and President of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie for 1996-97.
Through the forum, Việt Nam has promoted bilateral relations with a number of its member nations. 
With the successful organisation of the 7th Francophone Summit in 1997 in Hà Nội, Việt Nam made important contributions to institutionalising political activities and fostering links in economy, politics, culture, language and education-training among the Francophone community.
Việt Nam has actively and practically joined in almost all prioritised fields of the community, from outlining co-operation strategies, accelerating administrative and financial reforms and adjusting resources for education and development fields. The country is said to be one of key members of the community.

Meet with Italy’s regional leaders

Wednesday, during his visit to Italy, President Quang met with Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala and Lombardy President Roberto Maroni and proposed that Milan and Lombardy help organise Vietnamese cultural and art activities in the locality, allowing locals in Milan and Lombardy to deepen their understanding of Vietnam and to foster friendship between the two countries.
President Quang--along with leaders in Milan and Lombardy--highlighted the great potential for economic co-operation between Việt Nam and Italian localities. They agreed to continue encouraging and backing Italian businesses to strengthen their presence in Việt Nam, especially in mechanics, machinery manufacturing, infrastructure, energy and fashion design.
They also concurred to speed up affiliation programmes in education and training among universities and research institutes in Vietnam and Milan.
President Quang pledged that the Vietnamese State and Government is ready to create optimal conditions for Milan city and Lombardy region to set up links with Vietnamese localities.
The same day, President Quang visited Doumo Cathedral in Milan city, one of the most famous cathedral churches in northern Italy, built in 1386. — VNS