French, Vietnamese envoys meet Soeharto

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto expressed his appreciation yesterday for France's commitment to boost its economic ties with Indonesia despite the financial crisis here.

"French cooperation in the economy and its development assistance has strengthened our development process," Soeharto said after receiving the credentials of new French Ambassador Gerard Cros.

France is one of Indonesia's main trading partners in Europe. Imports from France in 1996 amounted to US$1.06 billion while exports to the West European country were worth $519.8 million.

Cros reminded Soeharto that France and Indonesia signed a finance protocol worth 507 million francs (US$83.1 million) in December to fund sea transportation and port cooperation projects.

"France is interested in stepping up mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries," Cros said.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Dang Quang also presented his credentials to Soeharto yesterday.

"The cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia has recently increased, especially after Vietnam joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations," Soeharto said.

Ambassador Dang Quang said the two nations shared a common desire to turn the region into a zone of peace, stability and cooperation. (prb)