Vietnam, France vow to put priority on economic cooperation

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and visiting French President Francois Hollande said here on Tuesday that economic cooperation continues to be a prioritised pillar in the bilateral relations.

The agreement came during their talks held in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Tuesday where Hollande is paying a visit from Monday to Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The two countries will highlight cooperation in key projects of infrastructure, energy, aviation, medical-pharmaceutical sector, environment, agriculture and food processing.

Hollande is also scheduled to give a speech at the Vietnam National University and attend a state banquet in the capital before he departs later at night for Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam.

After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation documents related to mutual legal assistance, personnel training, agriculture, climate change, among others.

On Tuesday, Vietnamese air carriers signed deals with French aircraft manufacturer Airbus for 40 planes worth $6.5 billion, Efe news reported.

France is Vietnam's fifth-largest trade partner in Europe, with two-way trade reaching $4.2 billion in 2015, and is also the third largest European investor in the Southeast Asian country.