Foreign Minister meets British counterpart
London (VNA) –
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has affirmed that Vietnam
attaches importance to strengthening strategic partnership with the UK.
During a working
session with British Secretary of State for
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly in
London on May 5, Son said President Vo Van Thuong’s acceptance of the invitation to the coronation of King Charles
III by the British Royal Family is a clear testament to increased political
trust and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
He
expressed his delight at the strong developments of bilateral relationship in
various fields, in line with the 2020 Joint Declaration on the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership: Forging Ahead for Another 10 Years.
To
further deepen bilateral ties in the coming time, Son proposed that both sides facilitate
the exchange of all-level delegations, especially those at high level; effectively
deploy bilateral cooperation mechanisms, offer mutual support at multilateral
forums, actively implement the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), boost
bilateral trade and investment cooperation and encourage the UK firms to
increase investment in Vietnam in areas of the UK's strengths that align with Vietnam's
development orientation, such as climate change response, renewable energy,
finance-banking, digital transformation, innovation, and high-quality
infrastructure.
Vietnam
supports and congratulates the UK on completing negotiations for the Comprehensive
and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Son said.
He
proposed the UK continue assisting Vietnam in coping with climate change,
especially in affected areas such as the Mekong Delta; building institutions
and policies, and training human resources in the green transition and sustainable
development process. Additionally, the two countries should sign an agreement
on research, innovation and startup ecosystem development.
Son also sought the UK’s support in improving Vietnam’s health care
capacity and building a resilient health care system.
Cleverly, for his part, thanked President
Thuong for attending the coronation of the King, especially at a time
when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of
diplomatic ties, saying that it reflects the growing all-around cooperation
between the two countries.
Highlighting Vietnam’s
increasingly important role in the region and the world, he described Vietnam as
an important partner of the UK in the Asia-Pacific and thanked Vietnam for
supporting the UK in its entry to the CPTPP.
He agreed on the
need to build measures to continue deepening
bilateral strategic partnership in an effective and practical manner that
matches aspirations and ability of both sides.
The
host also concurred with Son’s proposal to strengthen bilateral coordination
across the board, including establishing a trilateral agricultural cooperation
mechanism between the UK, Vietnam, and a third partner; supporting the
strengthening of people-to-people exchange, especially in education and youth
connectivity.
Regarding
the East Sea issue, host and guest shared the view that ensuring security,
safety, freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea plays a crucial
role in peace and prosperity in the region and the
world. All disputes should be settled peacefully through dialogue in line with international
law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS).
They
supported the observance of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East
Sea (DOC) and the efforts to achieve an effective, efficient and substantive
Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC)./.