Vietnam, UK Agree to Soon Recognize Each Other’s Vaccine Passports

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held online talks on October 26. Photo: VNA

The consensus was reached by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson during their online talks on October 26.

The leaders discussed measures to boost bilateral cooperation, especially in economy, trade and investment, as well as in Covid-19 response and climate change, VOV reported.

Chinh appreciated the UK’s leading role in making commitments and introducing initiatives at the upcoming 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) to be held in Glasgow this November.

Vietnam will continue to make a strong commitment to contributing to global efforts to respond to climate change, while working closely with the UK to ensure the success of the conference, Chinh assured Johnson.

The two PMs expressed their delight at the positive development of the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership in recent times. They agreed to work closely to accelerate the realization of the strategic cooperation orientations in politics - diplomacy, economy - trade - investment, development cooperation, education and training, science - technology, defense - security, and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Chinh said bilateral relations are “at a good stage of development”, especially after the two sides issued a joint statement marking 20 years of the Vietnam – UK Strategic Partnership (2010-2020) and enacted the UK - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).

Johnson highlighted Vietnam’s position and role in Southeast Asia and affirmed that the UK considers Vietnam an important partner in the region in the context of the the UK shifting its policy towards the Indo-Pacific region.

He noted that despite the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the enforcement of the UKVFTA has helped to expand bilateral trade, with their two-way trade value reached US$3.88 billion in the first seven months of 2021, a year-on-year rise of 26.92%.

During the talks, PM Chinh suggested that the UK create more conditions for Vietnamese exports to access the UK market and encourage its businesses to expand investment in Vietnam’s potential areas such as finance - banking, oil and gas, renewable energy development, digital economy, and manufacturing industries.

The two sides agreed to soon recognize each other’s vaccine passports to facilitate the resumption of trade and tourism services between the two countries.

415,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine donated by the UK Government arrive at the storage of the National Institute Of Hygiene And Epidemiology. Photo: VNA

Chinh once again thanked the British Government for its quick and timely delivery of 415,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Vietnam.

Johnson lauded Vietnam’s Covid-19 prevention and control, and announced that the UK will provide additional medical equipment worth some £500,000 to Vietnam through UNICEF.

Welcoming the UK’s goodwill, Chinh suggested that the UK continue supporting Vietnam in accessing Covid-19 vaccines and drugs, and developing the pharmaceutical industry, especially transferring technology to produce Covid-19 vaccines.

Exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, both PMs emphasized the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation, aviation, security and peace in the South China Sea (Bien Dong Sea), and upholding international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

On this occasion, Chinh invited Johnson to pay an official visit to Vietnam soon, and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure./.

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