At the ceremony to announce the Vietnam-UK friendship year 2023. (Photo: VNA) The event saw the participation of more than 150guests, including parliamentarians, government officials and representatives fromdepartments, localities, organisations and businesses of the UK, and Vietnameseagencies, organisations, associations and enterprises in the host country.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Minister of State in theForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office, who co-chaired the functiontogether with Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long, stressed that thebilateral relationship is growing fruitfully, and an array of celebrationactivities will be held by the two embassies in London and Hanoi this year.
Reviewing developments of the relations over thepast 50 years, she said the UK has become a strategic partner of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the support from Vietnam.
Vietnam is working hard to become one of the 30biggest economies in the world, she said, noting that the UK would like toaccompany the country on the journey, and stands ready and wishes to be Vietnam’simportant partner in green transition.
The UK also expects to join the Comprehensive andProgressive Agreement for Trans-pacific Partnership (CPTPP) this year, thus contributingto enhancing its relations with Vietnam, Trevelyan continued.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)
The official expressed her belief in the tightenedrelationship between British and Vietnamese peoples.
In a pre-recorded speech, Vietnamese Minister ofForeign Affairs Bui Thanh Son emphasised that the bilateral ties have beenconsolidated and enhanced across spheres, from politics to economy, national defenceand security and education, and expanded to science-technology,digital transformation, climate change response, energy transition, greengrowth and epidemic prevention and control.
In a pre-recorded speech, Vietnamese Minister ofForeign Affairs Bui Thanh Son emphasised that the bilateral ties have beenconsolidated and enhanced across spheres, from politics to economy, national defenceand security and education, and expanded to science-technology,digital transformation, climate change response, energy transition, greengrowth and epidemic prevention and control.
Vietnam attaches importance to its relations withthe UK, an important partner in Europe, and stays resolved to work togetherwith country in enhancing the bilateral strategic partnership and coping with globalchallenges, for peace, cooperation and development.
For his part, Long briefed the participants on thecelebration of the 50th anniversary with more than 50 events intrade, investment, education-training, culture and tourism in London and morethan 10 localities across the UK.
Graham Stuart, Minister of State in the Departmentfor Energy Security and Net Zero, pointed to the substantial potential for thetwo countries to cooperate in renewable energy, especially wind power.
Mark Garnier, Prime Minister's Trade Envoy for Vietnam,said big strides have been made in trade and investment ties between the twocountries over the past time, and there is ample room for the collaboration.
As of November 2022, the UK was one of the 15biggest foreign investors in Vietnam with 500 projects worth 4.19 billion USD,up 5.3% year-on-year.
The two-way trade reached 6.83 billion USD lastyear, a rise of 3.4% from 2021, with Vietnam’s exports to the UK valued at 6.06billion USD, up 5.2% year-on-year./.
The two-way trade reached 6.83 billion USD lastyear, a rise of 3.4% from 2021, with Vietnam’s exports to the UK valued at 6.06billion USD, up 5.2% year-on-year./.
VNA
