Vietnam hopes for stronger strategic partnership with UK

(VOV) - Vietnam aims to promote a stronger strategic partnership with the UK in various fields, especially in politics and diplomacy.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made this statement while receiving former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in Hanoi on October 15.

PM Dung praised Mr Blair’s visit, saying it would contribute to developing the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK, but he also noted that the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries still do not match their full potential.

Both sides should promote bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, investment, tourism, education and training, and support each other at multilateral forums.

Vietnam also hopes the UK will continue providing ODA funding to help Vietnam develop infrastructure and cope with climate change, Mr Dung added.

PM Dung conveyed his regards and invited the British PM to visit Vietnam to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He also spoke highly of Tony Blair’s goodwill to share experiences with Vietnam regarding reforms and international economic integration.

Former PM Blair told Mr Dung that during his visit he talked with students at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and worked with Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries and promote Vietnam’s economic development.

He also said he is willing to share experiences of his country and other nations, with Vietnam in restructuring the national economy and State-owned enterprises, attracting foreign investment, and responding to climate change, as well as developing public-private partnerships (PPPs), improving training and education, and protecting the environment.

The former UK PM said he hopes Vietnam will play a more important role in the region and praised the six-point principle ASEAN member countries have devised for the East Sea.

He said he will do what he can to help the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK grow and flourish in the future.

At a reception for Mr Blair on the same day, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh praised the former PM's positive contributions to promoting Vietnam-UK cooperative relations, particularly during his term as British Prime Minister (1997-2007).

FM Minh said Vietnam wants to boost cooperation with the UK in economics, trade, investment, education and training, as well as in responding to climate change, to benefit both sides and promote stability and development in the region.

Mr Blair said he is pleased to be visiting Vietnam for the first time and to witness its socio-economic achievements.

He applauded the Vietnamese Government’s measures to stabilize the macroeconomy in the context of the global economic crisis and its aim to develop the country into one of the most dynamic economies in Southeast Asia.

The former UK PM said he will continue to support his country’s efforts to enhance relations with Vietnam by implementing commitments in priority areas and increasing exchanges of high-level visits next year when the two countries will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

Mr Blair also said that he and his office are ready to support Vietnam in its development and economic reforms.

Both sides discussed a number of regional and international issues of common concern, such as the situations in the Middle East, North Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, ASEAN and the East Sea, as well as prospects for the world economy.

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