Earlier, PM Fillon and his entourage called at a number of historical sites and met with leaders of the city. He donated 100,000 EUR to support the local residents who were affected by recent storms and floods.

While in Vietnam , the French PM held talks with PM Dung, paid courtesy visits to Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and State President Nguyen Minh Triet, and met National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

At these meetings, PM Fillon affirmed that France attaches importance to boosting its comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam , particularly in sustainable development, by carrying out important projects in various fields.

The two sides agreed to beef up their economic, trade and investment ties to make them match political relations as well as potentials of the two countries.

The leaders also pledged to create favourable conditions for companies from the two nations to invest and operate in the other’s territory, especially in infrastructure, energy, airspace, telecommunications, science-technology, environmental protection and response to climate change.

To start with, Vietnam and France will coordinate so as to contribute to the success of the upcoming United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen , Denmark .

During the French PM’s visit, the two sides signed various agreements on cooperation, including those on building the Hanoi University of Sciences and Technology, peaceful use of nuclear energy, ensuring social security and order, development of culture centres and national defence.

At the Vietnam-France Business Forum, partners from the two countries signed 18 cooperation agreements with a total value of 9.5 billion USD, which focus on the fields of oil and gas, finance, banking, post and telecommunications, power, aerospace industry, urban planning and foodstuff.

As part of his trip, PM Fillon also laid wreaths in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi and visited the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City , where he met with local authorities./.