London (VNA) – Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue on June 30 had a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary DominicRaab as part of his official visit to the UK.

Raab said Hue’s visit was of significance as itcontributes to promoting the UK-Vietnam strategic partnership, especiallylegislative ties between the two countries.

He spoke highly of Vietnam’s increasing role andposition in the region and the world at large, stressing that the UK wants toboost cooperation with Vietnam in various spheres, especially economy, trade,investment, national defence, security, education, justice and climate changeresponse.

For his part, Hue affirmed the importance Vietnamattaches to the bilateral relationship, and emphasised that the Vietnam-UK strategicpartnership is developing strongly in various fields and at different levels.

The two sides shared the view that the relationshipis now at an all-time high, and there still remains huge room for the two countriesto advance it, especially at the time when Vietnam and the UK have becomestrategic partners, signed a free trade agreement, and established manyeffective cooperation mechanisms, both bilateral and multilateral.

The political and diplomatic ties are also thrivingin all channels, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they said, agreeing tomaintain the existing cooperation mechanisms.

For economic, trade and investment links, they saidthe results have yet to match potential and expectations of both sides, and held thatthe two countries should better optimise incentives of the bilateral trade dealto boost the economic ties after COVID-19, and cope with challenges regarding supplychains, and energy and food security.

Hue suggested the two sides create conditions forBritish firms to expand investment in Vietnam, especially in green finance, pharmacy,health care, digital technology, education, start-up, innovation,infrastructure building, and clean energy.

The NA Chairman also called on the British government tofurther support the Vietnamese community in the host country.

Raab thanked Vietnam for its support to the UK tobecome a dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)and asked for Vietnam’s support to soon join the Comprehensive and ProgressiveAgreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Lauding the UK’s role in the successful organisationof the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) last year, Hue calledon developed countries and international organisations to help Vietnam withgreen finance, technology, renewable energy development and personnel trainingto achieve the commitments at the conference.

He also called for British investments inassociation with climate change response in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese NA backs the government and will workto enhance its role and integrate the commitments into local laws to soonfulfill the set targets, the leader noted.

Applauding the signing of a letter of intent on thesigning of a new memorandum of understanding on cooperation in legal andjudicial issues, by the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice and its Britishcounterpart within the framework of the visit, Hue such collaboration creates alegal framework for partnerships in other areas.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional andinternational issues of shared concern, and emphasised the significance of lawobservance, saying all countries must follow basic principles of internationallaw and the UN Charter.

Sea-related issues should be addressed on the basisof international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of theSea (UNCLOS), they said.

On this occasion, Hue asked Raab to convey Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's invitation to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to visitVietnam.

Also on June 30, the NA Chairman met with Home Secretary Priti Patel who lauded efforts by Vietnameseand British agencies in the signing of a memorandum of understanding on moneylaundering prevention and control.

Hue spoke highly of the UK’s support to manycountries, including Vietnam, in the fight against money laundering andterrorism.

Patel expressed her belief that Hue’s visit will promotenot only the bilateral legislative ties but also cooperation in economy, tradeand finance, including the combat against financial and money launderingcrimes, and illegal migrants.

They said Vietnam and the UK should cooperate in handlingcommon challenges like traditional security challenges and transnational crimes.

The UK side pledged to continue its assistance toVietnam in technology and training.

On this occasion, Hue witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding on money laundering prevention and control between Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam and Patel./.