Gillian Keegan, British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) Speaking at a ceremony marking Vietnam’s National Day held by the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK on September 26, Keegan affirmed thatthe UK always welcomes students and businesses from the Southeast Asian nation.
She noted that bilateral trade increased 11%since the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) was signed in 2020, and theUK is working to boost two-way trade as the country aims to expand itstrade ties in Indo-Pacific.
Expressing her delight at the establishment of apartnership in energy transition by the UK, Vietnam and the EU, Keegan saidVietnam is an important partner of the UK in cooperation in response to climatechange.
In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen HoangLong recalled the day when President Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration ofIndependence, proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (nowthe Socialist Republic of Vietnam) on September 2, 1945, and reviewedachievements the country has recorded after 36 years of Doi Moi (Reform).
Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) Long also highlighted developments in the Vietnam-UKstrategic partnership over the past time, especially the UK visit by NationalAssembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue last June.
The UK is one of the 10 biggest buyers of Vietnam,while the Southeast Asian nation is an important trade partner of the UK inASEAN, he said, adding that a major programme with various trade, culture,education and tourism activities will be held in both Vietnam and the UK.
On this occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy launched a vote to select logo for the celebration of 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomaticties./.
VNA
