VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam and the United Kingdom are expected to launch direct flights to London in the second half of this year as part of an action plan signed by the two countries in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

The Viet Nam-UK 2011 action plan, which sets out a wide range of new initiatives, is an execution of the Strategic Partnership that they signed in September last year.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Cuong and British Ambassador, Dr Antony Stokes signed the action plan.

"The action plan turns the high level agreement of the Strategic Partnership into concrete detail, Stokes said. "It shows Britain and Viet Nam's solid commitment to work together."

As agreed, the two governments will continue to deliver concrete outcomes in traditional aspects, including education and trade and investment.

Among other projects are the initial operations of the UK-Viet Nam International University in central Da Nang City this year and support from the UK Department for International Development to the Viet Nam Anti-corruption Initiative.

Also this year, the two sides will speed up joint activities in new and interesting areas such as people-to-people links, with a focus on the development of the media, creative industries and the preparations for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

The two sides will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Co-operation.

Also yesterday, Jan 27, Stokes and Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade Le Danh Vinh signed the agreed minutes of the UK-Viet Nam Joint Economic Trade Committee meeting which took place in London in late November.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News