Promoting Vietnam - UK cooperation in many fields

On October 3, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son received Minister in charge of Scotland of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Alister Jack.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son received Mr. Alister Jack, Cabinet Secretary in charge of Scotland (UK). Photo: VNA

At the meeting, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son assessed that the Strategic Partnership between the two countries has developed positively in various fields in recent times, in the spirit of the new Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership (September 2020). Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that the two sides continue to promote the exchange of high-level delegations and all levels, especially on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries; effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms; closely cooperate at multilateral forums; actively implement the Vietnam - UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA); encourage British businesses, including Scottish businesses, to invest in Vietnam in the UK's strengths and in line with Vietnam's socio-economic development priorities such as finance, science - technology, innovation, green transformation, and energy transformation. Minister Bui Thanh Son congratulated the UK on officially joining the CPTPP Agreement; highly appreciated the UK's role in promoting the development of the Partnership for a Just Energy Transition framework between Vietnam and international partners and proposed that the UK continue to support Vietnam in building institutions, policies, training human resources, transferring technology in the process of green transition and sustainable development; and strengthen cooperation in the field of education and training, including joint training cooperation with Scottish universities.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son received Mr. Alister Jack, Cabinet Secretary in charge of Scotland (UK). Photo: VNA

Scottish Minister Alister Jack expressed his delight at the important results of the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership; affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of the UK in the region, the two sides have very high political trust. Minister Alister Jack was pleased to see that the UKVFTA has contributed to further promoting economic and trade relations; affirmed that the potential for cooperation between the two countries is still very large and will encourage British businesses to increase investment in Vietnam. Minister Alister Jack also expressed his gratitude to Vietnam for supporting the UK in the process of joining the CPTPP Agreement; agreed that the two sides will continue to coordinate closely within the framework of this Agreement. Minister Alister Jack expressed his agreement with Minister Bui Thanh Son's proposal to coordinate and promote cooperation in other areas such as science - technology, education - training, local cooperation, ecological and smart agriculture; affirmed that the UK will continue to accompany and support Vietnam in responding to climate change, developing renewable energy, and green finance. Regarding the East Sea issue, the two Ministers agreed that ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea plays an important role for peace, development and prosperity in the region and the world; all disputes need to be resolved peacefully by the parties concerned through dialogue, on the basis of compliance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.

VNA/Tin Tuc Newspaper