Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son receives Alister Jack, secretary of State for Scotland (UK). Photo: VNA

On October 3, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son received Secretary of State for Scotland (UK) Alister Jack.

At the meeting, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son assessed that the relationship between the two countries has developed positively in many fields, in the spirit of the new joint declaration on strategic partnership (September 2020).

Minister Bui Thanh Son proposed that the two sides continue to promote the exchange of high-level delegations at all levels, especially on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations.

The two countries cooperate closely at multilateral forums and implement the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).

He encouraged British businesses, including Scottish businesses, to invest in Vietnam in areas of British strength and in accordance with Vietnam's socio-economic development priorities, such as finance, science-technology, innovation, green transition, and energy transition.

Minister Bui Thanh Son congratulated the UK on officially joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

He appreciated the UK's role in promoting the building of a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between Vietnam and international partners, suggested that the UK continue to support Vietnam in building institutions, policies, human resource training, technology transfer in the process of green transition and sustainable development.

The two countries continue to strengthen cooperation in the field of education and training, including joint training cooperation with Scottish universities.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack expressed his joy at the important results of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, affirming that Vietnam is an important partner of the UK in the region, and the two sides have high political trust.

Alister Jack was pleased to see that the UKVFTA has contributed to promoting economic and trade relations. He affirmed that the potential for cooperation between the two countries is still large, and he will encourage British businesses to increase investment in Vietnam.

Minister Bui Thanh Son encourages British businesses, including Scottish businesses, to invest in Vietnam. Photo: VNA

Alister Jack also expressed his thanks to Vietnam for supporting the UK in the process of joining the CPTPP, agreeing that the two sides will continue to coordinate closely within the framework of this partnership.

Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack agreed with Minister Bui Thanh Son's proposal to coordinate and promote cooperation in other fields such as technology, education training, and local cooperation.

He affirmed that the UK will continue to accompany and support Vietnam in responding to climate change, developing renewable energy, and green finance.

Regarding the East Sea issue, both sides agreed that ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea plays an important role in the peace and prosperous development of the region and the world. All disputes need to be resolved peacefully by relevant parties through dialogue, on the basis of compliance with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

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