Vietnam desires UK to transfer vaccine production technology soon

During the meeting, the Vietnamese government leader expressed his appreciation for the UK defence official’s first visit to Vietnam, which he said vividly demonstrates both sides’ goodwill to reinforce the friendship and mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two defence ministries, armies and people of the two countries, helping propel the bilateral strategic partnership forward.

PM Chinh hailed strong development steps of the Vietnam-UK relations across politics, economy, national defence and security, and sustainable development.
He called on the UK to effectively implement the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), incentivize its firms to invest in Vietnam and facilitate Vietnamese goods’ penetration into the UK market.

Regarding bilateral defence cooperation, Chinh suggested both nations should continue to augment cooperation between the two defence ministries and armies, both bilaterally and at multilateral forums.

The two sides should work to effectively realise cooperation agreements in national defence, contributing to the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership in line with each side's interests, and contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world as a whole.

PM Chinh asked the UK Government continue its COVID-19 vaccine supply to Vietnam, create conditions for the Southeast Asian country to soon acquire vaccines under the COVAX Facility and access vaccine supplies as soon and as many as possible, and early transfer the vaccine production technology to Vietnam.

Regarding the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be hosted by the UK in November, the Vietnamese cabinet member expressed his confidence that the event will contribute to promoting global efforts in coping with climate change.

He also affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to work closely with the UK and other partners to make the conference a success.

Wallace, in turn, said he is impressed by the major achievements Vietnam has recorded in socio-economic development and COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as its development potential. The UK always places importance on its strategic partnership with Vietnam, he stated.

Applauding Vietnam’s contributions in the region and the world, he said the UK Ministry of Defence is willing to closely cooperate with the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence to strengthen exchanges and consolidate mutual trust, and ramp up mutually beneficial cooperation, with a focus on training, experience sharing and collaboration within multilateral frameworks like UN peacekeeping operations.

Both sides also compared notes on regional and international issues, and underscored the importance of ensuring order, security, safety and freedom of navigation, and settling disputes via peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), thus contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.