The Vietnamese delegation’s official members include Deputy PM, Foreign Minister Phạm Gia Khiêm and his spouse, leaders of the ministries of Planning and Investment, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Public Security, Government Office, and the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

At the 62 nd UN General Assembly, Việt Nam’s bid for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term will be decided on October 16 to mark the 30 th anniversary of the country’s admission to the UN.

As the only Asian candidate, Việt Nam intends to share her experience and opinions on the UN’s affairs.

Việt Nam’s attendance of the 62 nd session of the UN General Assembly also aims to further realize her policy to diversify and multilateralize external relations; to proactively integrate into the international community; to meet leaders of other countries and international organizations and call for their support to Việt Nam’s socio-economic development; and to meet US politicians and businesses to cement and deepen the Việt Nam–US relationship.

Consolidating friendship and cooperation with France

Over the past time, Việt Nam and France have seen good progresses in their bilateral ties.

France is the first European country and ranked ninth among countries and territories investing in Việt Nam, with 179 projects worth of nearly US$ 2.25 billion. France is also one of Việt Nam’s biggest partners in Europe. The two-way trade turnover between the two countries reached nearly €1.2 billion in 2006. France continues to grant ODA to Việt Nam and is the second biggest donor (after Japan) who pledges to finance Việt Nam €1.4 billion up to 2010.

PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng’s trip to France is expected to consolidate the bilateral ties in line with the motto “traditional friendship, comprehensive and long-term cooperation, and trust in the 21 st century” and to deepen economic relations. The France tour also helps to promote the relations between Việt Nam and EU when France becomes the Union’s Chair in 2008.