New York (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had meetings with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy and Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad Ahmed Attaf on September 23 on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future and the high-level week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Receiving the UK diplomat, Son congratulated Lammy on his appointment, and thanked the UK for providing 1 million GBP (1.34 million USD) to support Vietnam’s Typhoon Yagi relief efforts.
He hailed the European country’s recognition of Vietnam’s market economy status, saying Vietnam approved the UK's accession protocol to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in June. He appreciated the UK’s coordination role in the Just Energy Transition Partnership and suggested the country continue assisting Vietnam in carrying out the resources mobilisation plan announced at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Vietnam, as the coordinator of the ASEAN – UK relations, will join hands with the UK to deepen the ties, he added.
Lammy, for his part, affirmed that the UK attaches importance to the strategic partnership with Vietnam and will continue assistance for the country’s sustainable economic development.
He recommended the two sides strengthen cooperation in the domains of defence-security and migration issues.
The two diplomats concurred to continue accelerating the effective implementation of the UK - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and capitalising on the opportunities from the CPTPP to boost the bilateral economic-trade and investment ties. They welcomed the positive progress of the ASEAN – UK partnership over the past time and affirmed support for the maintenance of peace, stability and freedom of navigation and overflight as well as the settlement of the East Sea issues via peaceful means and based on international regulation and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Meeting with the Algerian diplomat, Son affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the traditional friendship with Algeria and suggested the two nations enhance delegation exchanges and work closely with each other at the multilateral forums, particularly at the UN and Non-Aligned Movement, while asking Algeria to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms to invest and do business in the country.
Attaf agreed with Son on the necessity to step up political ties and deepen collaboration across economy-trade, investment, energy, oil and gas and people-to-people exchanges.
The two sides reached consensus to join hands to concretise the outcome of the 12th meeting of the Vietnam - Algeria Intergovernmental Committee and soon organise the fourth political consultation.
The same day, Son and Malawian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tempo witnessed the signing of a joint communique establishing the diplomatic relations between the two countries. With the move, Vietnam now has diplomatic ties with 194 countries.
At the meeting following the signing, Son affirmed that this is a historic milestone in the bilateral relations and suggested both sides carry out delegation exchanges and hold bilateral meetings via all channels to promote mutual understanding and political trust while expanding cooperation opportunities.
He said Vietnam is willing to share its development experience with Malawi, especially in the areas of its strength like economic development, renewal and international integration, agriculture, fisheries and education. Besides, the country stands ready to work alongside the African country to seek funding from third parties such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the European Union for trilateral agricultural cooperation projects in Malawi.
Nancy Tempo, for her part, held that the Vietnam – Malawi ties have officially entered a new page, and expressed her willingness to foster collaboration in all areas with Vietnam./.
