Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc met with UK Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, in Hanoi on December 4,asking his guest to promote the establishment of a Vietnam-UK university in theSoutheast Asian nation.

Welcoming Prince Andrew’s visit to Vietnam onthe occasion of 45 years of the countries’ diplomatic ties, PM Phuc appreciatedthe Prince’s sentiments towards Vietnam and his contributions to bilateralrelations.

Vietnam has always treasured ties with the UK,which holds an important role in Europe and the world, he affirmed, adding thatthe countries’ strategic partnership has grown with strength in all fields,from politics, diplomacy, trade, and investment, to security, defence,education-training, and tourism.

The UK attracts a large number of Vietnamesestudents, the PM said, noting that educational cooperation is a top priority inVietnam’s cooperation with the European country. He also expressed that he highlyvalues the British royal family and Government’s support for relations in thisaspect.

He said Vietnam has worked with severalcountries to open universities, and it hopes the Prince will promote thefoundation of a joint university in Vietnam.

[Photos feature Vietnam-UK diplomatic relations]

At the meeting, PM Phuc also urged both sides tostep up high-level delegation exchanges in the time ahead, while effectivelymaintaining cooperation mechanisms like the strategic dialogue and the jointcommittee for economic and trade affairs so as to intensify cooperation.

He expressed his delight at the trade-investmentpartnerships over the past few years and asked the countries to capitalise ontheir potential and advantages to support each other.

The leader called on Prince Andrew, with hisrole in and influence on the business circle, to encourage more Britishinvestment in Vietnam, adding that Vietnam always creates the best possibleconditions for foreign investors, including those from the UK.

For his part, Prince Andrew voiced his supportfor a Vietnam-UK university. He also asked the two sides to promote cooperationin scientific research and connect their universities.

He noted that his country has been relatively successfulin start-up activities and is developing a diverse economy that needs ahigh-quality young workforce. 

Vietnam is home to many small- and medium-sizedenterprises and it should encourage them to create innovative ideas and connectthem with major firms, including foreign ones like those of the UK, to helpthem spread their reach to the world. It also needs to create platforms forinnovation and start-up ecosystems to attract the young, he added. –VNA