Paris (VNA) – Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui ThanhSon met with the UK’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of China’sHong Kong Algernon Yau Ying-wah, and Foreign Minister of Lithuania GabrieliusLandsbergis in Paris on June 7.

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the OECDMinisterial Council Meeting 2023.

Talking to British Foreign Secretary JamesCleverly, Minister Son expressed his delight at the progress in the twocountries’ relations in multiple spheres, and suggested both sides increasemutual visits at all levels.

He called on the British Government to continue financial and technological support, and assist Vietnam with capacity buildingwithin the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership to help thecountry realise the commitments announced at the 26th UN Climate ChangeConference (COP26).

He also asked for the UK’s coordination with and support forVietnam to successfully serve as co-chair of the OECD Southeast Asia RegionalProgramme, with priority to promoting economic recovery, helping witheconomic reform, and aiding Southeast Asian countries to further approach OECDstandards.

Agreeing on Minister Son’s suggestions, Cleverly expressedthe respect for Vietnam’s growing role in the region, highly valued the country’seconomic development achievements, and considered Vietnam as a potential marketfor British investment.

The UK wishes to further intensify bilateral cooperation,particularly in security - defence, green economy, and renewable energy, henoted.

As the two countries are marking the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties, the ministers agreed on the need todevise measures for continuing to augment cooperation in all fields, thus substantivelydeveloping the strategic partnership to help both sides reach the sustainabledevelopment goals and effectively cope with regional and global challenges.

Vietnam and the UK will also strengthen ties and mutualsupport at international organisations and multilateral forums, including OECD,they added.

At the meeting with Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of HongKong Algernon Yau Ying-wah, Son highlighted the strides in economic, trade, andinvestment partnerships. The Chinese territory is currently the seventh biggesttrading partner and the fifth largest foreign direct investor of Vietnam, whichin turn ranks seventh among all trading partners and second among the ASEAN ones ofHong Kong.

To further facilitate economic and trade links, he recommendedthe two sides hold more delegation exchanges between their administrations,localities, businesses, and people.

He asked Hong Kong to create more favourable conditionsduring the granting of visas for Vietnamese citizens and entrepreneurs,consider the pilot reception of Vietnamese workers, and encourage major firmsof Hong Kong to take part in trade and investment promotion activities inVietnam.

Son also suggested Hong Kong increase importing agricultural,forestry, fishery, textile, garment, and footwear products from Vietnam, andsupport Vietnamese businesses to boost trade, investment, and tourism connectionswith the special administration region.

Secretary Algernon Yau Ying-wah said major enterprises ofHong Kong highly value the business and investment climate in Vietnam, and theyhope to seek opportunities in the country in such new sectors as technology andinnovation.

Hong Kong is ready to serve as a gateway for Vietnamese firmsto operate profitably in the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay Area, he affirmed, promising to send the proposals on visagranting and conditions for Vietnamese workers to competent agencies forconsideration.

At their meeting the same day, Minister Son and hisLithuanian counterpart Gabrielius Landsbergis applauded the development oftheir countries’ relations over the past years.

They agreed that Vietnam and Lithuania will keep close coordinationto step up all-level mutual visits, maintain bilateral cooperation mechanisms,including the political consultation between the two foreign ministries, andcontinue supporting each other at multilateral forums and internationalorganisations./.