PM: Vietnam backs negotiations on future Vietnam-UK FTA
Vietnam backs the proposal to negotiate a Vietnam- United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said while receiving UK Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward in Hanoi on October 26.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and UK Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnambacks the proposal to negotiate a Vietnam- United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement,Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said while receiving UK Ambassador to VietnamGareth Ward in Hanoi on October 26.
The two sides shouldcontinue technical discussions to define the framework and issues need to benegotiated, thereby creating favourable conditions for the later negotiationprocess, he said.
Highlighting the importanceof Ward’s role in the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, PM Phuc said heexpected the British ambassador will help double the bilateral trade turnover duringhis tenure.
According to the governmentleader, bilateral trade exceeded 6 billion USD last year, up 11 percent from2016. The UK has invested 3.71 billion USD in Vietnam, ranking 15th out of 129 countries and territories investing in the country.
PM Phuc said that incelebration of the 45th founding anniversary of diplomaticrelations, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid an official visitto the UK and he himself met with his British counterpart Theresa May on thesideline of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Belgium earlier thismonth.
The PM also voiced his hopethat the UK will help Vietnam access capital from the Commonwealth Fund,particularly for improving the business climate, coping with climate change,and developing infrastructure projects.
For his part, the UKambassador said Vietnam’s improvements in the business climate have impressed Britishenterprises.
He pledged to make effortsthroughout his tenure to boost bilateral trade as well as collaboration inother sectors such as education-training, culture, health, and defence.
Affirming his support forfree trade, Ward said the UK backs the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) andwill help accelerate its early signing and ratification.
Regarding the East Seaissue, the diplomat affirmed that he supports the supremacy of law, as well asfreedom, security and safety of navigation and overflight.-VNA
The upcoming official visit to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh will create new momentum for the Vietnam-UK relations, now at their best development period, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Tran Ngoc An has affirmed.
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The constant development of the Vietnam-UK relations was highlighted at a ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries in Ho Chi Minh City on October 26.
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The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
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Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
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The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
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NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and UK Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward (Photo: VNA) 
