Vietnam, UK Seek Ways to Enhance Parliamentary Ties

Vietnam wishes to share experience with the United Kingdom (UK) in legislative affairs, especially in the building of the legal framework, policies and mechanisms to support the Government in realising international commitments, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue told Speaker of the UK House of Lords John Mcfall during their talks in London on June 29 (local time).

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) meets Speaker of the UK House of Lords John Mcfall. Photo: VNA

According to VNA, Hue is on an official visit to the UK from June 28 - 30 at the invitations of Speaker of the House of Lords John McFall and Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle.

The two leaders discussed the situation of relations between the two countries and the two parliaments with the hope that Vietnam and the UK, especially the parliaments, will jointly set out new orientations and solutions to deepen bilateral cooperation in all fields.

They stressed the need to enhance the comprehensive and substantive relations, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and agreed to maintain all-level delegation exchanges and contacts.

Regarding trade and investment collaboration, Hue emphasized that the UK is currently Vietnam’s third-biggest trade partner in Europe and its leading European investor.

Showing their delight at progress in two-way trade as it hit USD 6 billion last year, both sides proposed the two countries continue bringing into full play the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) to facilitate UK businesses’ expansion of investment in Vietnam, particularly in green finance, pharmaceuticals, health, digital technology, education, startup and clean energy.

NA Chairman Hue said Vietnam welcomes the G7's decision to include it among the first three countries to assist in realizing UNCOP 26's commitments, hoping that the UK will share its experience in building the roadmap and policies in this matter.

Speaker John Mcfall appreciated Vietnam's serious participation in international commitments on environmental protection and emission reduction, affirming that the UK will support Vietnam in this field.

Hue thanked the UK for having donated nearly 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam through bilateral channels and COVAX Facility, and provided medical equipment worth GBP 500,000 (USD 606,700) for the country through the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The two leaders stressed the importance of closer cooperation in addressing global issues, as well as appropriate behaviors in international relations, on the basis of respecting international law and global approach, intensifying dialogue and avoiding confrontation.

Hue said he hopes the two parliaments will closely cooperate, and make parliamentary ties an important pillar of the two countries' strategic partnership, contributing to further elevating the relations, building up political trust and enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne – Marie Trevelyan. Photo: VNA

On the same day, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met with UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne – Marie Trevelyan during which he affirmed that Vietnam is willing to create all favorable conditions for investors of the UK to operate in the Southeast Asian country.

The two officials agreed that there remains a large room for Vietnam and the UK to expand cooperation, especially economic, trade, and investment ties.

For her part, Trevelyan expressed her pleasure that the two countries have signed the UKVFTA after Brexit.

According to the UK official, her country is conducting negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the results so far have been positive.

The UK is also focusing its trade activities on the Indo-Pacific region, in which Vietnam holds an important position, not only as a bilateral partner but also a member of the CPTPP, she said.

Green and renewable energy is one of the areas that British businesses are very interested in expanding cooperation with Vietnam, she noted, showing her hope that this cooperation will be stronger in the future.

Agreeing with the UK official, Hue stated that Vietnam is willing to share its experience in joining the CPTPP with the UK.

The energy cooperation between Vietnam and the UK will be further strengthened in the coming time, he affirmed.

NA Chairman Hue and Speaker of the UK’s House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle also discussed various issues regarding cooperation between the two legislatures during their talks in London on June 29 morning.

NA Chairman Hue and officials, staff from the Vietnamese Embassy, and representatives of the Vietnamese community in the UK. Source: quochoi.vn

Right after his arrival on June 28 (local time), Chairman Hue had a meeting with officials and staff from the Vietnamese Embassy, and representatives of the Vietnamese community in the UK.

He suggested Vietnamese associations and organizations in the UK continue to play an important role in building an increasingly stable and developing community, becoming a solid bridge for the Vietnam-Vietnam strategic partnership.

The legislator expressed his hope that the network of Vietnamese experts and intellectuals in the UK will continue to closely connect with the homeland, contributing valuable knowledge and human resources to the country.

Currently, the UK has about 80,000 Vietnamese people living, working and studying. Most of the people have the spirit of nationalism, patriotism and solidarity, and often have activities towards building the homeland. In particular, in the past two years, people have actively contributed and supported the prevention and control of Covid-19 in many practical ways. Particularly in 2021, the Vietnamese community in the UK has donated more than USD 3.5 million to support the National Covid-19 Prevention and Control Fund and many other goods.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue lays a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh memorial plate at New Zealand House in London. Source: quochoi.vn

Chairman Hue also laid a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh memorial plate in London on his visit to the UK .

The plate was placed at New Zealand Building in Hay market which was formerly Carlton Hotel where the late President worked 100 years ago. President Ho Chi Minh worked in the hotel’s kitchen during the 1913-1917 period.

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