President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the UK Dominic Raab. (Photo: VNA)

The President made the remark at a reception for First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the UK Dominic Raab in Hanoi on June 22, who is on an official visit to Vietnam and attending the high-level policy dialogue of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).  

He said the two sides should give priority to the effective implementation of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) towards creating breakthroughs in trade and investment cooperation, affirming that Vietnam will create all possible conditions for UK businesses to invest in potential fields such as banking, insurance, financial services, digital services and renewable energy.

Phuc hailed the UK as a leading country in Europe and the world in researching, developing and administering COVID-19 vaccine, and asked the UK to help Vietnam access vaccine supply and production technology.  

Secretary of State Raab underlined that the UK attaches importance to developing relations with Vietnam as the UK is adjusting its policy towards the Indo-Pacific region post Brexit. He informed President Phuc that he had discussed with Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son measures to implement the content of the bilateral strategic partnership, with a focus on the resumption of delegation exchange, cooperation mechanisms and orientations for coordination to optimize opportunities brought by the UKVFTA.

The official said he was impressed by Vietnam’s work in controlling COVID-19, and affirmed that the UK is ready to contribute vaccine to global efforts to control the pandemic, including providing vaccine to friendly countries and strategic partners like Vietnam.

He thanked Vietnam, with its rising role in the region, for actively backing the UK in promoting its cooperation with ASEAN and negotiating on joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The two sides agreed to work closely at important multilateral forums in 2021 such as the UN Security Council, ASEM and the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

President Phuc spoke highly of the UK’s role and contribution to peace, security, and maritime freedom in the region and the world.

The UK official affirmed the importance of ensuring maritime and navigation freedom, security and peace in the East Sea, and emphasized compliance to international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).  

Deputy PM proposes UK further facilitate Vietnam's access to COVID-19 vaccine supplies

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has proposed the UK's Government further facilitate Vietnam's access to COVID-19 vaccine supplies and consider transferring its vaccine production technology to the Southeast Asian country. ​

At the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and Dominic Raab, British First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Photo: VNA)

At a reception in Hanoi on June 22 for Dominic Raab, British First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Minh said the UK is a leading nation in COVID-19 vaccine research and development and is one of the countries which have contributed the most to the COVAX Facility.

The Deputy PM spoke highly of the positive development of the Vietnam – UK strategic partnership in the recent past and expressed his belief that Raab’s current visit would create a new driving force for the bilateral cooperation.

Raab, who has been on an official visit to Vietnam where he also attended the Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM) High-level Policy Dialogue, affirmed that Vietnam is an important strategic partner of the UK, particularly when the European nation has enhanced its engagement and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region in the post-Brexit period.

To step up cooperation in line with the “Joint Declaration on the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership: Forging Ahead for Another 10 Years”, the two sides agreed to soon resume the exchange of delegations, especially high-ranking ones, and cooperation mechanisms when the conditions allow.

Minh took this occasion to suggest the UK to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese exports to enter its market in a bid to tap opportunities brought about by the UK - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA). 

He also affirmed that Vietnam is willing to create best conditions for British firms to expand their investment, particularly in potential fields such as renewable energy, digital economy, banking, insurance, financial services, and education - training.

The Deputy PM said the two nations should continue their cooperation at international forums such as the UN Security Council (UNSC) during 2020-2021, when Vietnam works as a non-permanent member of the council, and ASEM.

Minh pledged that Vietnam would work closely with the UK to ensure the success of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) hosted by the UK in November this year.

Raab thanked Vietnam for supporting the UK's efforts to secure the ASEAN Dialogue Partner status, as well as in negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Having emphasised the importance of ensuring the freedom of navigation and overflight, security and peace in the East Sea, the two officials noted that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the legal framework for all activities at sea and ocean.

Source: VNA

Vietnam proposes UK transfer COVID-19 vaccine production technology

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on May 19 held phone talks with British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Dominic Raab,