Vietnam, UK seek to build stronger strategic partnership

The dialogue saw the attendance of Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long, British Ambassador to Vietnam Ian Frew, and representatives of relevant ministries.

During the event, both sides acknowledged that the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership has seen more comprehensive development across various fields, both bilaterally and multilaterally. This progress reflects the strong determination of both nations to elevate their relationship to new heights, considering the Strategic Partnership in 2010 and the Joint Statement 2020 outlining seven priority areas.

Political trust has been strengthened by maintaining the exchange of delegations at all levels and through all channels, while trade and economic ties have been constantly expanding by effectively capitalising on the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).

Security and defence links continue to be promoted and put into practice, whilst people-to-people exchanges, including educational co-operation, remain a bright spot with more than 12,000 Vietnamese students studying at all levels in the UK.

Affirming the Vietnamese recognition of the great importance of strengthening the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership, Deputy FM Hang said that the two sides need to make the most of positive co-operation results in the fields of politics, economics, education - training, security - defence, people-to-people exchanges, whilst seeking to expand bilateral ties to new areas. These efforts should focus on the UK’s strengths and Vietnam’s needs such as new energy, green finance, and strategic infrastructure development.

The UK diplomat hailed Vietnamese development achievements and its growing international and regional stature, highlighting the nation as an important partner in the overall Indo-Pacific strategy of the British Government.

The UK therefore welcomes Vietnam’s strong commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), along with the country’s adoption of a political declaration on just energy transition with the G7. It stands ready to join international partners and private businesses in co-operating with and assisting Vietnam in terms of green transition, sustainable development, and climate change response, she affirmed.

To further strengthen the strategic partnership and tap into the co-operation potential, the two sides agreed to intensify delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high levels, and effectively maintain bilateral co-operation mechanisms. This is along with working together to implement the UKVFTA to further promote bilateral trade and encourage British enterprises to boost investment in the Vietnamese market in fields such as renewable energy, digital technology, finance - banking, innovation, and high-quality infrastructure.

They also discussed a wide range measures aimed at further enhancing partnerships in science - technique and education - training, including exchanging students, conducting joint studies, increasing the UK’s scholarships for Vietnamese students, whilst effectively making use of the UK’s sponsorships for scientific researches.

With regard to security linkages, both sides concurred to maintain close ties in the fields of migration; exit - entry; the fight against organised, hi-tech, and human trafficking crimes; and capacity building for law enforcement officers.

With regard to defence ties, they showed their elation at the progress made in bilateral co-operation, as seen by the visit of a naval ship to Vietnam and the UK’s assistance in training Vietnamese officers for UN peacekeeping operations.

They agreed to continue intensifying defence delegation exchanges, step up co-operation in UN peacekeeping operations, share strategic research information, and expand collaboration to potential areas such as cyber and maritime security safeguarding.

On the basis of the common priorities in agricultural partnership and many important agreements relating to this, the two officials discussed measures to bolster co-operation in opening their countries’ respective markets to each other’s agricultural products. This is along with facilitating timber trade, controlling food quality and safety, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, and enhancing the possibility of trilateral partnerships to help guarantee global food security.

Regarding bilateral ties at international and regional forums, UK Minister Trevelyan appreciated Vietnamese support for the UK during the negotiations on her country’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Both sides agreed to augment sharing and co-ordination at multilateral forums like the UN and the ASEAN-UK co-operation.

With regard to international and regional issues of shared concern, they underlined the importance of complying with international law and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.

They therefore used the occasion to voice support for ASEAN’s centrality and the bloc’s stance on regional security issues, including ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea; respecting law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and advocating the building of an efficient and effective code of conduct in the waters.

The same day saw Deputy FM Hang hold a meeting with Deputy Speaker of the UK’s House of Commons Nigel Evans, who applauded the flourishing mutual relations and described the strategic dialogue as an important mechanism for comprehensively discussing issues of bilateral co-operation.

He commended Vietnam as a partner of leading importance of the UK in the region, adding that the UK parliament supports the promotion of joint ties.

Deputy FM Hang greatly appreciated the support shown by the Royal Family, the UK Government, and UK Parliament for Vietnam, calling for continued assistance for the Vietnamese community in the UK.

Both sides also agreed to work hand in hand to organise celebrations for the 50th anniversary of joint diplomatic ties  this year.