Prime Minister welcomes UK Secretary of State for Defence

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 22 suggested Vietnam and the UK continue to consolidate and strengthen cooperation between the two defence ministries and armies, both bilaterally and at multilateral forums.

The two sides should work to effectively realise cooperation agreements in national defence, contributing to the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership in conformity with each side's interests, and contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world, PM Chinh told UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace in Hanoi on July 22.

Speaking highly the first visit to Vietnam by Wallace, PM Chinh said the trip vividly demonstrates both sides’ goodwill to promote the friendship and mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two defence ministries, armies and people of the two countries, helping to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership.

He lauded strong development steps of the Vietnam-UK relations in such spheres as politics, economy, national defence and security, and sustainable development.

The PM called on the UK to effectively implement the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), encourage its firms to invest in Vietnam and facilitate Vietnamese goods’ access to the UK market.

PM Chinh suggested the UK Government continue its COVID-19 vaccine supply to Vietnam, create conditions for the Southeast Asian country to soon acquire vaccines under the COVAX Facility and access vaccine supplies as soon and as many as possible, and early transfer the vaccine production technology to Vietnam.

Regarding the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be hosted by the UK in November, the government leader expressed his belief that the event will contribute to promoting global efforts in responding to climate change. Vietnam stands ready to work closely with the UK and other partners to make the conference a success, he pledged.

At the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace (Photo: VNA)

Wallace, for his part, said he is impressed by achievements Vietnam has recorded in socio-economic development and COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as its development potential. The UK always attaches importance to its strategic partnership with Vietnam, he affirmed.

Praising Vietnam’s contributions in the region and the world, he said the UK Department of Defence is willing to closely cooperate with the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence to enhance exchanges and consolidate mutual trust, and step up mutually beneficial cooperation, covering training, experience sharing and collaboration within multilateral frameworks like UN peacekeeping operations.

While comparing notes on regional and international issues, the two sides stressed the importance of ensuring order, security, safety and freedom of navigation, and addressing disputes via peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large./.

VNA