Forum nurtures ties with France   Employees at the Scavi Hue Garment Company in Thua Thien-Hue Province work on a production line. Viet Nam has called on long-term investment from French firms in the country. - VNA/VNS Photo Danh Lam PARIS  (VNS) - Viet Nam and France will facilitate economic and trade ties on the basis of open dialogue and trust. Consensus was reached in the talks held between Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh and French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Laurent Fabius in Paris on Monday. The talks were part of the agenda during Vinh's visit to Paris to attend the second high-level Viet Nam-France economic dialogue. The ministers described the potential for mutual benefit from developing economic ties as huge. Both ministers discussed sectors of French strength, such as transport infrastructure, urban development, nuclear energy, aviation technology and health care, which Viet Nam is in need for national development. At a meeting with more than 100 top French firms on the same day, Vinh called on them to launch long-term operations in Viet Nam. He hailed the host country's progress in science and technology and corporate governance, which he said are areas requiring more investment in Viet Nam. Vinh also briefed them on Viet Nam's economic restructuring and business climate. With the ASEAN Economic Community being formed by 2015, Viet Nam will serve as a key gateway to a market of nearly 600 million people. The country is also emerging as a robust economy in the Asia-Pacific region which accounts for two-thirds of the world population, he added. French Business Confederation Vice President and General Director of International Development Thierry Courtaigne said Viet Nam's dynamic growth and strong reforms are conducive to French investment. Counsellor for Economic Affairs at the French Embassy in Viet Nam Michel Drobinak also spoke highly of the prospects for bilateral cooperation, thanks to Viet Nam's stable growth and a force of young and skilled workers. Vinh also answered French investors' questions, giving them a better understanding of the Vietnamese market. - VNS