Deputy PM, FM Bui Thanh Son meets British Foreign Secretary David Lamy on AMM-58 sidelines

Lamy made the above statement during his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11, within the framework of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM).

He hailed the impressive development in the bilateral ties across various fields, especially in trade and investment, adding that both sides have many opportunities to further boost trade and enhance cooperation in emerging areas such as clean energy and renewable energy.

Bui, for his part, shared Viet Nam's plans to develop an international financial center in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City, emphasizing that it is a major policy of the State with the aim to promote the transformation of the growth model and sharpen national economic competitiveness.

He called on the United Kingdom to share its knowledge and experience in developing financial centers, support Viet Nam in training and attracting human resources, and facilitate British organizations and businesses' participation in the development of the financial center in Viet Nam.

Both sides vowed to increase high-level delegation exchanges, contributing to enhancing political trust and injecting momentum to elevate the strong bilateral cooperation to a new level.

The same day, during the meeting with Vice-President of the European Commission (EC), EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Bui urged the European Union to accelerate the ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and soon lift the "yellow card" on Viet Nam's seafood exports.

He suggested the EU encourage its businesses to invest in Viet Nam's key projects in the fields of infrastructure, renewable energy, green transition, digital transformation, and environmental protection, and called for the advancement of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Viet Nam and EFTA States (including Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein).

Affirming that Viet Nam is one of the EU's important partners in the region, the EC Vice President agreed that both sides should enhance exchanges, particularly high-level visits, strengthen bilateral cooperation, and fully leverage the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

She also emphasized the need to open markets and make cooperation in science and technology, innovation, green transition, and digital transformation new pillars of the bilateral relationship in the coming period.

Both sides affirmed the role and importance of the United Nations Charter and international law, stating that conflicts and disputes should be resolved by peaceful means via consultation and dialogue./.