Expectations that General Secretary To Lam's visit to the UK will create new breakthroughs

General Secretary To Lam's visit is not only an important foreign policy event, but also clearly demonstrates Vietnam's respect for its traditional Western European partners, including the UK.

At the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, General Secretary To Lam and his wife, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, will pay an official visit to the UK from October 28-30.

General Secretary To Lam’s visit carries a strong and consistent foreign policy message. It affirms Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace , cooperation and development, while multilateralizing and diversifying international relations, demonstrating Vietnam’s determination to proactively and actively integrate into the world comprehensively, becoming a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community.

In particular, the visit took place on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership (2010-2025), an important milestone for the two countries to look back on the journey of cooperation, evaluate outstanding achievements, and set out new visions and development directions.

General Secretary To Lam received British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew on October 17. Photo: VNA

Before the visit, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang said that the UK is a global power, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and one of the world's leading countries in science and technology, defense and security, finance and innovation.

These are all fields that are suitable for the development needs and strategic orientation of Vietnam today, when the country is striving to promote industrialization, modernization and deep integration into the global economy.

General Secretary To Lam's visit is expected to create new breakthroughs in cooperation between the two countries, especially in areas with potential and complementary strengths.

The leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believe that the visit will open a new chapter in bilateral cooperation with long-term, sustainable development orientations, in line with the interests and strengths of each country...

Vietnam and the UK established diplomatic relations on September 11, 1973. The UK was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

Over the past half century, the friendship and solidarity between the people of the two countries have been constantly strengthened and developed.

General Secretary To Lam's visit is not only an important foreign affairs event, but also clearly demonstrates Vietnam's respect for traditional Western European partners, including the UK, in Vietnam's foreign policy and comprehensive international integration process.

The visit takes place in the context of Vietnam - UK relations developing strongly and achieving many encouraging results.

In 2010, the two countries signed a Joint Statement establishing a Strategic Partnership, opening a new stage of development in bilateral cooperation. In 2020, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and the UK continued to issue a Joint Statement on the development orientation of the Strategic Partnership in the next 10 years...

In terms of economics, trade and investment, the UK is currently Vietnam's third largest trading partner in Europe and Vietnam is the UK's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia.

The UK has 587 valid projects in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of about 4.46 billion USD, ranking 15th out of 152 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Vietnam is also one of the first countries to sign a free trade agreement with the UK after Brexit, making good use of this agreement, thereby bringing strong growth in bilateral trade turnover year by year.

In terms of science and technology, the two sides have implemented about 50 joint research projects and a number of other cooperation activities. In terms of environment and climate change, the UK is the coordinator and actively supports Vietnam in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between Vietnam and the International Partnership Group (IPG).

Regarding development cooperation, the UK is one of Vietnam's leading donors through the Prosperity Fund, the Newton Fund, the Climate Action for a Sustainable Asia (CARA) Programme...

The UK is a destination chosen by many Vietnamese students. Currently, there are more than 12,000 Vietnamese students studying at UK universities and educational institutions. In addition, thousands of Vietnamese experts and intellectuals are also working in the fields of scientific research, technology, finance and innovation in the UK. Cultural, sports and people-to-people cooperation have also achieved important results.

Vietnamese people in the UK parade in traditional Vietnamese costumes on the streets of London to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day. Photo: VNA

The positive results were achieved thanks to the determination and efforts of both sides and the contributions of businesses and people of the two countries.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang said this is an important premise to expect that the General Secretary's visit will bring the relationship between the two countries to a new, more comprehensive and stronger height, while opening up new and breakthrough directions, in line with the potential and meeting the practical needs of each country.

"We expect that major cooperation projects will be launched, many exchange activities will be organized, and the people of the two countries will understand and become closer to each other," the Deputy Minister shared.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ky-vong-chuyen-tham-anh-cua-tong-bi-thu-to-lam-tao-ra-nhung-dot-pha-moi-2456714.html