Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received Amanda Milling, Minister of State for Asia and the Middle East at the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, in Hanoi on March 29, reported local news.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and British Minister of State for Asia and the Middle East Amanda Milling. Source: UK embassy in Hanoi

Milling is on her first working visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 8th Vietnam - UK strategic dialogue at the deputy foreign minister level which covered trade and investment; cooperation on climate, education, science and technology.

Son expressed his delight at the strides in the two countries’ strategic partnership as seen in Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s successful trip to the UK and attendance at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in there from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, 2021.

As the two countries are about to mark the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023, Vietnam wishes to further intensify the strategic partnership with the UK, he said.

The Vietnamese FM called for increasing high-level mutual visits; enhancing the key cooperation mechanisms, including the strategic dialogue at the deputy foreign minister level, the joint economic and trade cooperation committee, and the defence policy dialogue; stepping up trade and investment promotion activities to capitalise on the UK - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA); and expanding ties in education - training, science - technology, and health care.

Milling affirmed her country views Vietnam as an important partner in the region as it is looking to bolster cooperation with the Indo-Pacific, adding that the UK hopes to strengthen links in the fields matching the two sides’ strength and demand.

Highly valuing Vietnam’s strong commitment at COP26 to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, she said the UK will assist Vietnam to realise the commitments about emissions, climate change response, and sustainable energy transition.

The two officials agreed to keep their countries’ close coordination at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations and regional cooperation mechanisms.

Milling spoke highly of Vietnam’s role and contributions as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council during 2020 - 2021.

She also appreciated the country’s support for the UK to become a full dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

On this occasion, Minister Son and the UK Minister of State also discussed some international and regional issues of common concern.

At the event at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in Hanoi. Source: UK embassy in Hanoi

In the previous meeting, Minister Milling heard from experts of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam about the UK's potential engagements in the Mekong sub-region. The recommendations from this workshop will contribute to shaping the UK policy in the region.

Milling also met with Vice Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang on March 29 to discuss tackling global security issues, transnational crime, and human trafficking,

Since 2018, the UK has invested £4 million in tackling human trafficking from and within Vietnam, and is committed to strengthening cooperation with Vietnam on this issue.

UK's Minister of State for Asia, Amanda Milling meets with Vice Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang. Source: UK embassy in Hanoi

During her visit to Vietnam, UK’s Minister of State for Asia Milling attended a LGBT+ Roundtable, co-organised by the British Embassy in Hanoi and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and met with LGBT+ activists in Vietnam.

“The UK firmly believes that everyone should have a fair opportunity in life, no matter who or where they are. As the co-chair of the Equal Rights Coalition, we are committed to working with Vietnam and other countries to advance LGBT+ equality. This will be further discussed in Safe To Be Me - the first ever global LGBT+ conference to be organised in London this summer,” she shared.

With 452 FDI projects worth over USD 4 billion, the UK is the 15th largest out of 140 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

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