At the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisationsand the Vietnam-UK Friendship Association, in collaboration with the UK Embassyin Hanoi, held a ceremony on September 11 to celebrate the 50th anniversaryof the Vietnam-UK diplomatic ties (September 11).
Speaking at the event, Permanent Deputy Minister of ForeignAffairs Nguyen Minh Vu said sincethe official establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, Vietnam and the UK have been developing a strong, effective and dynamic partnership across all areas.
Theestablishment of the bilateral strategic partnership in 2010 and the JointDeclaration on the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership in 2020 demonstrated thestrong commitment and vision of both governments. The UK is now one ofVietnam's most important strategic partners, and the two countries have maintainedregular high-level dialogues and exchanges.
Last year, two-waytrade hit 6.9 billion USD, making the UK the third largest European tradepartner and the ninth biggest importer of Vietnam globally.
In 2020,Vietnam and the UK signed the bilateral free trade agreement. The UK'saccession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-PacificPartnership (CPTPP) this year also contributed to increasing the role ofthe trade alliance, bringing the GDP of the bloc to 14 trillion USD and creatingopportunities for both countries to strive towards the 10 billion USD target,Vu added.
According to him, education is another crucial pillar in theVietnam-UK strategic partnership, with 12,000 Vietnamese students in theEuropean country. The UK, renowned for its long-standing and world-classeducation system, has set Vietnam as one of its priority countries in itsinternational education strategy. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the British Council's operations in Vietnam and the 30th anniversary of the Chevening Scholarships offered by the UK Government inVietnam.
Both countries are alsoworking together to address global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic,as well as in energy transition and climate change adaptation.
Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) On the basis of the achievements obtainedover the past five decades, Vu said he believes that bilateral relationship will keepgrowing and expanding across all the fields.
UK Ambassadorto Vietnam Iain Frew said Vietnam hasundergone an impressive journey of economic development and global integration,in which the UK is proud to have played a significant role.
Speaking highly of the potential of joint work in health care, research, renewableenergy, investment and trade, he committed to strengthening the enduring bondbetween the two countries which, he said, continues growing stronger over the time./.
