At the eighth Vietnam-UK strategic dialogue in Hanoi on March 28. Photo: VGP

Deputy Minister of foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Quang Hieu and the UK's Minister of State for Asia and the Middle East Amanda Milling co-hosted the dialogue in Hanoi on March 28.

The two sides focused their discussions on collaboration in politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, development cooperation, education-training, science-technology, security-defense, and people-to-people exchanges, according to VOV.

They affirmed that the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership has been developing positively, in line with the spirit of the September 2020 Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

As the Covid-19 is gradually put under control, the two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and soon resume cooperation mechanisms such as the Policy Dialogue at the Deputy Minister of Defense level and the UK-Vietnam Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO).

They also consented to work closely together to organize meaningful and diverse activities like trade, investment and tourism promotion, the organization of cultural events and people-to-people exchanges to mark 50 years of bilateral diplomacy in 2023.

Hieu affirmed Vietnam’s strong resolve to fulfill its commitments at the 26th United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Glasgow (Scotland) late last year.

Deputy Minister of foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Quang Hieu and the UK's Minister of State for Asia and the Middle East Amanda Milling co-hosted the dialogue in Hanoi on March 28. Photo: VTV

He also noted measures Vietnam has adopted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with national resources along with international support, and suggested that the UK assist Vietnam in accessing financial resources to realize the commitments.

Milling affirmed that the UK is ready to support Vietnam to achieve its COP26 commitments.

Both sides expressed their delight at the economic achievements recorded following the enforcement of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) a year ago, with two-way trade reaching US$6.6 billion last year. The UK is currently the 15th largest investor out of 140 countries and territories investing directly in Vietnam, with 452 projects worth some US$4 billion.

The two countries will continue to take advantage of opportunities from the trade deal and at the same time to expand cooperation in areas such as digital economy, energy transformation, green finance, infrastructure development, finance-banking, they agreed.

Both welcomed positive progress in the bilateral defence cooperation and concurred to enhance the exchange of defence delegations and improve the capacity of Vietnamese soldiers in UN peacekeeping operations.

They also consented to coordinate closely in the fields of migration, immigration, mutual legal assistance, extradition, prevention of organized crime & high-tech crime, anti-human trafficking, as well as cooperation in personnel training and capacity building.

The Vietnam-UK trade reached US$6.6 billion last year. Photo: VNA

Milling reaffirmed the UK’s policy of considering Vietnam an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region in the context of the UK moving to enhance cooperation with countries in the region.

She thanked Vietnam for supporting the UK to become a full dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The two sides agreed to further work closely at multilateral forums and regional cooperation mechanisms.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, they emphasized the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, security and peace in the South China Sea (Bien Dong Sea).

Vietnam Days in UK 2022

The Vietnam Days in the United Kingdom 2022 is taking place from March 28 to April 10, featuring a series of cultural, art, sport and trade-investment promotion events, mostly in London.

The event is organised by the Embassy of Vietnam in the UK, in collaboration with organisations and enterprises of both countries, on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, marking the 70th anniversary of her accession to throne, VietnamPlus reported.

The events focus on enhancing the bilateral cooperation in various areas, ranging from education and training, green transformation, renewable energy, fintech, startup and innovation; and promoting Vietnam as an attractive destination for tourists in the context that the country has reopened its door to international visitors.

Highlights among these are a music show entitled “Beautiful Vietnam”, painting exhibitions, investment promotion and travel forums and a friendly golf tournament in London.

Given the thriving relations between the two countries, Vietnam has become increasingly attractive to British investors and enterprises. The Vietnam Days are expected to further promote Vietnam’s natural landscapes, culture, people and great potential in the UK and open more opportunities for taking the bilateral partnership to a new height./.

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