Hanoi, May 14 -- Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Truong Thang has expressed delight at new strides in Vietnam - France ties, especially the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, saying that the move affirms the strong political will of both countries' leaders to deepen future collaboration.

During a reception in Hanoi on May 13 for French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet, Thang stressed that defence ties, a key pillar of bilateral relationship, have been growing substantively and effectively, with progress in the exchange of all-level delegations, especially those at high level, defence industry, training, and United Nations peacekeeping operations, consistent with agreemen...