Vietnamese top legislator: UK holds important position in Viet Nam’s foreign policy

Vuong is on an official visit to the UK from June 28-30 at the invitations of Speaker of the House of Lords John McFall and Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle.

At the talks, the Vietnamese top legislator suggested the UK provide more government scholarships for Vietnamese students and encourage major universities to open their branches in Viet Nam. 

He highly valued bilateral collaboration in health care and science–technology, appreciating the UK's donation of nearly 3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Viet Nam via the bilateral mechanism and the COVAX Facility, along with medical supplies worth GBP500,000 via UNICEF.

Viet Nam always supports the UK to enhance ties with ASEAN and is ready to serve as a bridge helping the UK expand cooperation with ASEAN countries, Vuong reiterated. 

The Vietnamese NA expects to work closely with the British House of Commons to develop the strategic partnership to a new height, enhance political trust, increase people-to-people exchange, improve all-round cooperation effectiveness, share experience in issuing policies on post-pandemic economic recovery and green growth, and exchange views on international affairs. 

Vuong asked the UK to assist Viet Nam with finance, technique, training, and capacity building to deliver on its commitments made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

For his part, Hoyle hoped that Viet Nam will promote its role at multilateral forums and in addressing global issues, including conventional and non-conventional security challenges.

The British lower house speaker proposed the two countries leverage the UKVFTA so as to enable British enterprises to expand investment in Viet Nam, particularly in the fields of green finance, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, digital technology, education, start-up and innovation, infrastructure development, clean energy and others.

Both sides agreed to organize a variety of activities in trade, investment and culture as well as high-level delegation exchanges in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Viet Nam-UK diplomatic relations next year (1973 - 2023).

The host and the guest stressed the need to enhance cooperation in dealing with global issues such as transnational crimes, human trafficking, money laundering, and cyber security.

To promote the strategic partnership, the two sides agreed to boost all-level mutual visits and share experience in parliamentary activities and reinforce coordination to monitor and promote the implementation of the Governments' cooperation deals and strategic cooperation projects.

They pledged to support the Vietnamese and British Governments, localities, businesses and people to increase exchanges, mutual understanding, and win-win cooperation.

They also vowed to boost consultation, coordination, and mutual support at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia - Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP).

Both sides underscored the need to uphold international law, respect independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, peacefully resolve disputes, stop the use of force in international relations, and prioritize cooperation to cope with emerging challenges such as cyber security and transnational crimes.

The Vietnamese NA Chairman took the occasion to invite Speaker of the UK’s House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle to visit Viet Nam soon, and Hoyle accepted the invitation with pleasure./.