Vietnam, UK seek closer relations

Vietnam remains supportive and would serve as the bridge for the UK to expand its partnership with ASEAN, calling for the UK parliament to support ASEAN's central role in the region, as well as Vietnam's stance on regional security issues.

Vietnam and the UK are seeking closer relations at a time when the bilateral strategic partnership has been at its best with strong progress in all spheres.

Chairman of Vietnam National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and Speaker of the House of Commons of the UK Lindsay Hoyle. Source: VNA

The view was shared during a meeting between Chairman of Vietnam National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and Speaker of the House of Commons of the UK Lindsay Hoyle in London today [June 29].

According to Hue, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries has benefited from the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) that took effect in early 2021.

Hue expected both sides to continue taking advantage of the deal to boost bilateral trade and economic partnership, which would contribute to economic recovery in the post-pandemic and address challenges from possible disruption of the global supply chain, energy and food security.

"Vietnam is committed to creating favorable conditions for UK businesses to expand investment activities in the country, especially in green finance, pharmacy, healthcare, digital technology, education, startups, innovation, infrastructure, and clean energy," Hue said.

With education among the priority fields for cooperation between the two countries, Hue added a Vietnam-UK education conference is high on the agenda of his visit with the participation of leading universities from both sides.

Overview of the meeting.

Stressing the UK's role in organizing the COP26, Hue said Vietnam's commitments at the conference showcase its determination in fighting climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and pushing for an economic transition toward a circular and green economy.

Hue added Vietnam remains supportive and would serve as the bridge for the UK to expand its partnership with ASEAN, calling for the UK legislative body to support ASEAN's central role in the region, as well as Vietnam's stance on regional security issues.

For his part, Lindsay welcomed Vietnam's commitments to sustainable development and said he would call for further support for Vietnam from the UK and Europe.

Lindsay expressed the UK's view on strengthening cooperation with Vietnam, one of the most dynamic economies in the strategic Southeast Asian region.

Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue is on a visit in the UK from June 28 – 30 in response to the invitation of Speaker of the UK House of Lords John McFall and Speaker of the House of Commons of the UK Lindsay Hoyle. Over the years, the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership has been growing strong in all spheres as both countries look to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1973-2023), seen as the new milestone in bilateral relations between global power and Vietnam, a dynamic economy in the strategic Southeast Asian region. In 2021, bilateral trade turnover hit US$6.6 billion, up 17.2% year-on-year, for which the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) was seen as a key driving factor. The UK is currently Vietnam's third-largest trading partner in Europe. Hue's visit to the UK is seen as a continuation of Vietnam's foreign policy that looks to deepen bilateral relations with key partners, including the UK. During this visit, both sides are set to strengthen political trust and boost cooperation between Vietnam's National Assembly and the UK parliament; along with bilateral partnership in the fields of economy, trade, investment, finance, banking, education, healthcare, climate change