Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on July 30 had a telephone talk with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, during which they agreed on a number of measures to further forge the Vietnam-France strategic partnership. The two countries will increase delegation exchange of all levels, while expanding their cooperation in various areas of economics, defence, construction, energy, education and training, and culture, they concurred. The two sides also lauded the success of the Vietnamese Culture Year in France . Deputy PM Minh conveyed Vietnamese top leaders’ invitation to French President Francois Hollande to visit Vietnam. He also proposed that France advise the European Union to approve a framework agreement on Partnership and Cooperation with Vietnam and conclude the Vietnam-EU free trade agreement within 2014. Deputy PM Minh said he hopes the two countries will coordinate closely in organising the 21 st session of the United Nation Conference of the Parties on Climate Change scheduled for Paris in 2015. They also touched upon regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue. Fabius expressed stance of supporting the settlement of East Sea disputes through dialogues and peaceful measures without using forces. VNA/VOV.VN