Vietnam wants to bolster cooperation with the United Kingdom (UK) in the fields of economy, trade, investment, finance, culture, education, defence and security, said General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and UK newly-accredited Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward

Hosting reception for UK newly-accredited Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward in Hanoi on September 1, the Party chief stressed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the position and role of the UK in the international arena.

He hoped that the two countries will enhance coordination, and support each other at international and multilateral forums, saying he backed the development of UK-ASEAN relations.

Congratulating the UK diplomat on his new mission in Vietnam, Party General Secretary Trong wished that he will have a successful tenure in Vietnam, contributing to the thriving Vietnam-UK relations.

Gareth Ward, for his part, affirmed that both countries hold huge potential for cooperation in various sectors, including economy, finance, education, healthcare and defence.

He said he hoped the two nations will ink a bilateral free trade deal soon, and enhance coordination at the United Nations Security Council as well as settlement of regional and global issues.

He asked Vietnam to back the partnership between the UK and ASEAN, and committed to doing his utmost to elevate the relations between the UK and Vietnam in the coming time.-VNA