PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng receives UK PM Envoy

PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng stressed so in his reception to Mr. Charles Powell, Special Envoy of the British PM in the afternoon of March 7 in Hanoi.

On behalf of PM Tony Blair, Mr. Charles Powell confirmed that the British Government and PM always expect to further the cooperation with Vietnam in investment, trade, finance, education, environment, migration, and especially establishment of the Joint Trade Committee between the two countries. The guest conveyed the invitation from PM Tony Blair to the leader of the Vietnamese Government to visit the United Kingdom.

The Vietnamese PM expressed his gratitude to his British counterpart for good ideas to deepen the bilateral cooperation. The Vietnamese Government and people are glad to see the development of the friendship between the two nations, he asserted. It is reported that two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and the UK has increased sharply, achieving US$ 1.6 billion in 2006. The UK ranks among the biggest investors in Vietnam, with many successful cases in different fields, especially gas and oil.

PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng suggested Britain to reduce academic tuition and grant more scholarships to Vietnamese students. He also encouraged British universities to establish their branches in Vietnam.

The host agreed with the founding of the Vietnam-UK Joint Trade Committee and promised to arrange an official visit to the UK as soon as possible.

By Hoàng Nguyên Hồ