The ninth political dialogue between Vietnam and the UK in London on June 12 (Photo: VNA) They shared theview that the Vietnam - UK strategic dialogue has been developing intensivelyand comprehensively in all spheres and on both bilateral and multilateraldimensions, especially with the strategic partnership established in 2010 and the2020 joint statement identifying nine priority areas, showing the countries’strong determination to elevate bilateral relations.
Political trust has been enhanced through the maintenance ofall-level mutual visits and via all channels, including President Vo Van Thuong’srecent attendance in the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh’s meeting with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak onthe sidelines of the expanded G7 summit also in May, and National AssemblyChairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s official visit to the UK in July 2022.
Economic and trade links have been unceasingly expanded onthe basis of the UK - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), and security anddefence cooperation continued to be promoted substantively. Meanwhile,people-to-people exchanges, including educational links, remain a bright spotas there are more than 12,000 Vietnamese students in the UK.
Vietnam attaches importance to the reinforcement of the countries’strategic partnership, Hang affirmed.
She suggested both sides keep bringing into play the positivecooperation results in politics, economy, education - training, security -defence, and people-to-people ties and expand collaboration to new areas thatmatch the UK’s strength and Vietnam’s demand such as new energy, green finance,and strategic infrastructure.
For her part, Trevelyan stated Vietnam is an important partnerin the British Government’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
The UK welcomes Vietnam’s strong commitment to achieve netzero emissions by 2050 made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference(COP26), along with the Southeast Asian country’s adoption of a politicaldeclaration on just energy transition with the G7. It is ready to joininternational partners and private businesses in cooperating with and assistingVietnam in green transition, sustainable development, and climate change response,she affirmed.
To further intensify the strategic partnership and tap intocooperation potential, the two sides agreed to step up delegation exchanges atall levels, especially high levels; effectively maintain bilateralcooperation mechanisms; work together to implement the UKVFTA to raisebilateral trade; and encourage British enterprises to boost investment in Vietnamin such fields as renewable energy, digital technology, finance - banking,innovation, and high-quality infrastructure.
They also discussed measures for further strengtheningpartnerships in science - technique and education - training, includingexchanging students, conducting joint studies, increasing the UK’s scholarshipsfor Vietnamese students, and effectively using the UK’s sponsorships forscientific researches.
In terms of security cooperation, Vietnam and the UK agreedto keep close coordination in the fields of migration; exit - entry; the fightagainst organised, hi-tech, and human trafficking crimes; and capacity buildingfor law enforcement officers.
Regarding defence ties, they expressed their delight at the progressin bilateral cooperation as seen in a British naval ship’s visit to Vietnam andthe UK’s assistance in training Vietnamese officers for United Nationspeacekeeping operations. They agreed to continue increasing defence delegationexchanges, step up cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations, share strategicresearch information, and expand collaboration to such potential areas as cyberand maritime security safeguarding.
On the basis of the common priorities in agricultural partnershipand many important agreements on this regard, the two officials discussed measuresto foster cooperation in opening their countries’ markets to each other’sagricultural products, facilitating timber trade, controlling food quality andsafety, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, and boosting thepossibility of trilateral partnerships to help guarantee global food security.
Discussing bilateral coordination at international andregional forums, Trevelyan appreciated Vietnam’s support for the UK during thenegotiations on her country’s participation in the Comprehensive and ProgressiveAgreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Both sides agreed to bolster view sharing and coordination atmultilateral forums like the UN and the ASEAN - UK cooperation.
Touching upon some international and regional issues ofcommon concern, they stressed the importance of complying with internationallaw and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. They voiced support forASEAN’s centrality and the bloc’s stance on regional security issues, includingensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the EastSea; respecting law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS);and advocating the building of an efficient and effective code of conduct inthe waters.
Also on June 12, Deputy Minister Hang had a meeting withDeputy Speaker of the UK’s House of Commons Nigel Evans, who applauded thecountries’ flourishing relations and described the strategic dialogue as animportant mechanism for comprehensively discussing issues of bilateralcooperation.
He stressed Vietnam is a partner of leading importance of theUK in the region, and that the British parliament supports the enhancement oftheir ties.
Hang appreciatedthe support from the Royal Family, Government, and parliament of the UK forVietnam, and called for continued assistance for the Vietnamese community inthe European country.
The twosides also agreed to work together to organise celebrations of the 50th anniversary of their countries’ diplomatic relations this year./.
VNA
