Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met with visiting former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on March 19 , during which they agreed to work closely with each other to develop areas of cooperation in the future.

The two sides noted with pleasure the development of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership in all fields.

They spoke highly of Vietnamese agencies and the Office of Tony Blair (OTB) in putting forth cooperation orientations in an array of areas, including consultation, reforming state-owned enterprises, foreign investment attraction, public-private partnership, the private sector, economics, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, and Vietnam’s international integration.

The orientations are suitable for Vietnam ’s requirements in economic restructuring and growth model shift, said Minh.

The FM spoke highly of Blair’s active role and goodwill in supporting and coordinating with Vietnam , noting his contributions to OTB consultation activities for Vietnamese agencies.

For his part, Blair said he is impressed by Vietnam ’s socio-economic achievements and the country’s international integration policy.

With a stable political-social environment and much potential for economic development, Vietnam has a growing opportunity to attract foreign investment, especially from the European Union and the Middle East , he said.

The two sides also compared notes on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

During his stay in Vietnam from March 18-19, Blair met with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and attended working sessions with a number of Vietnamese ministry leaders.-VNA