London (VNA) –Politburo member and head of the Party Central Committee’s OrganisationCommission Pham Minh Chinh has affirmed that Vietnam wishes to further deepen thebilateral ties with the UK during a visit to the UK from November 14-17.  

In a meeting with Prince Andrew in London onNovember 14, Chinh said the bilateral relationship should be promoted in thespirit of respecting each other’s political regime, with political-diplomaticties as the foundation, and economic-trade ties as the focus, while cooperationin culture, science, education and people-to-people exchange serves as adriving force. The two countries should also support each other’s stances onregional and global issues, he said. 

Prince Andrew supported and appreciated theVietnamese Party delegation’s proposals regarding economy, nationaldefence-security, external relations and the East Sea issue. 

He pledged to work for the effective developmentof bilateral ties in diverse areas, especially in promising fields such asscience, education-training, culture, tourism and people-to-peopleexchange. 

While in the UK, the delegation also heldworking sessions with Minister of State for the Foreign and CommonwealthOffice and Secretary General of the ruling Conservative Party Mark Field;member of Parliament for Caerphilly, Shadow Minister for Armed Forces andDefence Procurement and Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group forVietnam Wayne David; Conservative Member of Parliament and Prime Minister’sTrade Envoy Edward Vaizey; Conservative Member of Parliament and the Prime Minister’sAnti-Corruption Champion John Penrose and representatives from the House ofCommons’ Committee of Public Accounts. 

During the meetings, the two sides agreed tofacilitate the exchange of high-level visits and optimize existing cooperationmechanisms such as the strategic dialogue on diplomacy-nationaldefence-security and the Vietnam – UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee, andcontinue to raise new initiatives on investment and tourism. 

They vowed to better use the Commonwealth Fund,Newton Fund and official development assistance for Vietnam in fields ofVietnam’s demand and the UK’s priority such as climate change, health care,science-technology, environment. 

The host side expressed support for Vietnam’s bidto run for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, theearly signing and ratification of the European Union – Vietnam Free TradeAgreement, contributing to deepening bilateral ties in the near future. 

On the East Sea issue, the two sides concurredwith each other in the need to settle disputes by peaceful means on the basisof international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Lawof the Sea, ensuring freedom, security and safety of maritime and aviation,respecting and fully abiding by diplomatic and legal process, while trying notto further complicate the situation,

They shared experience in administrative reform,building a streamlined and effective State apparatus, personnel training andanti-corruption. 

The UK side also pledged to offer all possiblesupport to Vietnamese nationals living in the country. 

During the stay, the delegation visited the KarlMarx Memorial Library in London and held a working session with GeneralSecretary of the Communist Party of Britain Robert Griffiths.-VNA