HANOI, June 2 (Xinhuanet) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nong Duc Manh will pay an official visit to France on June 6-9 at the invitation of French President Jacques Chirac, local newspaper Youth reported Thursday.

    France attaches importance to Manh's coming visit, considering it as a milestone in the two countries' traditional ties, French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean Francois Blarel said during a reception given by the general secretary in Hanoi capital recently.

    During his visit to Vietnam in mid-April, French Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Renaud Muselier met with several Vietnamese senior officials. The two sides agreed that bilateral relations in politics, economy, trade, investment, development aid, culture, science, technology, education and training are developing well, stressing the need to beef up bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, health and education.

    Vietnamese and French holders of diplomatic passports will no longer need visas when entering the foreign country from July 1, the report said.   Enditem