Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Vietnam Iain Frew said: "Today, we celebrate not just one but three historical milestones: 50 years since the UK and Vietnam established diplomatic relations; 30 years of the British Council operating in Vietnam and 30 years since the first Chevening Scholars left Vietnam to study in the UK... More than 500 Chevening Scholars from many different fields are one of the living bridges connecting the UK and Vietnam."
According to Ambassador Ian Frew, much has changed since the UK and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1973. Vietnam has gone through an impressive journey of economic development and international integration, to which the UK is proud to have made a significant contribution.
Thirteen years after agreeing to elevate their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, the UK and Vietnam are working together to tackle important global issues, including climate change. The two countries have become partners in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
The Ambassador assessed that the two countries still have great potential for cooperation in the fields of health, research, renewable energy, investment and business; at the same time, he pledged to work with the people of the two countries to preserve and develop the strong bond between the UK and Vietnam - a bond that will last forever and grow stronger over time.
Emphasizing the remarkable development of the Vietnam-UK relationship, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said: In 2022, bilateral trade between Vietnam and the UK reached 6.9 billion USD, making the UK Vietnam's 3rd largest trading partner in Europe and Vietnam's 9th largest export market in the world. Vietnam and the UK have signed an FTA and joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said that education is one of the important pillars of the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership with 12,000 Vietnamese students studying and working in the UK. He also emphasized the cooperation between the two countries in dealing with energy security, climate change, and people-to-people exchange.
With the achievements over the past 50 years, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu expressed his belief that the Vietnam - UK relationship will continue to develop and reach further in all fields.
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