Prime Minister receives former UK PM

The Vietnamese Prime Minister hosted a reception for Tony Blair, who is also Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), in Ha Noi on July 26.

The Prime Minister highly spoke of Blair's contributions to the bilateral relations during his working tenure as UK Prime Minister (1997 - 2007).

He congratulated the UK on joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), affirming Viet Nam's support and willingness to actively coordinate with the country to promote the effective and efficient implementation of the trade deal.

The UK’s former Prime Minister said that his country always attaches importance to its strategic partnership with Viet Nam.  

The two sides also expressed their delight at remarkable progress in cooperation between the TBI and some Vietnamese agencies after their meeting in March.   

They discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, especially the trends of the fourth industrial revolution, artificial intelligence, the rise of protectionism, and strategic competition.

Prime Minister Pham suggested the two sides strengthen cooperation to grasp and take advantage of opportunities and overcome difficulties and challenges.

He also suggested the TBI promote the linkages of foreign partners and investors in Viet Nam, including investment funds and corporations from Europe and the Middle East, and assist the country in attracting resources for green growth, emission reduction and climate change response, and boosting digital transformation.

The TBI has initially supported Vietnamese ministries and sectors to connect with potential foreign enterprises and investment funds that want to invest in Viet Nam, and is considering to open a representative office in the country. 

The institute plans to sign a cooperation agreement with the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment on attracting high-quality foreign investment and developing a financial center in Viet Nam./.