Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of ForeignAffairs Le Thi Thu Hang and visiting Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’sForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office Philip Barton shared theview on the need for Vietnam and the UK to enhance cooperation in variousspheres. 

At their meeting in Hanoi on March 25, the officialssuggested the two countries foster collaboration in finance, banking, education-training,science-technology, and maritime economy, among other fields.

They agreed that the two countries should optimise opportunitiesgenerated by the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), and step upcoordination and mutual support at regional and international organisations andforums like the United Nations, and within the frameworks of the ASEAN-UKrelationship and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-PacificPartnership (CPTPP).

Hang noted with pleasure the positive development ofthe Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, especially in politics, foreign affairs,trade, investment, security, national defence, and education-training.

Notably, the two sides successfully organisedactivities celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic tieslast year, she added.

To further tap cooperation potential of both sides, the Deputy FM suggested the two foreign ministries promote all-level delegationexchanges, and effectively put in place cooperation mechanisms.

Hang appreciated the UK’s support for Vietnam withinthe Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) backed by the Group of Seven(G7), and called on the country to continue its assistance in terms of capital,technology and high-quality personnel training.

For his part, Barton affirmed that the UK attachesimportance to strengthening its strategic partnership with Vietnam in itspolicy towards the Asia-Pacific.

The UK will maintain its support for Vietnam inclimate change response, sustainable economic development and biodiversity preservationin the Mekong Delta, he said, promising to closely coordinate withVietnamese ministries, agencies and partners to accelerate the implementationof cooperation plans within the JETP, particularly those on offshore wind powerdevelopment in which the UK has strengths.

Regarding regional and international issues ofshared concern, Barton stressed the significance of ensuring security, safetyand freedom of aviation and overflight, and observing international law, includingthe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in all seasand oceans, including the East Sea and the Red Sea./.