UK Queen Elizabeth II has expressed keen interest in the cooperative and friendly ties between her nation and Vietnam, while voicing strong support for bilateral collaboration programmes.

She made the remarks to Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK and Northern Ireland Nguyen Van Thao who presented his credentials to the Queen in London on February 17.

The Ambassador pledged to double his efforts to drive the two countries’ friendship and cooperation forward.

Speaking at a reception following the audience with the Queen, Ambassador Thao said the Vietnamese embassy is working with UK partners to design an action programme to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership in the next five years.

The two sides will carry out specific projects to make Vietnam a more attractive destination for UK businesses, he added.

Vietnam and the UK established bilateral strategic partnership in 2010. Since then, their relations have reaped positive outcomes in all realms via annual dialogues to increase mutual understanding and trust.

In 2015, the two countries will celebrate 5 years of their strategic partnership.-VNA