British Foreign Secretary visits Vietnam

(Dan Tri) - The visit of British Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development in charge of the Indo- Pacific region Catherine West focuses on promoting cooperation between the two countries in areas such as economy and security.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang (right) welcomes UK Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Development Affairs Catherine West (Photo: British Embassy).

UK Foreign and Development Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West concluded a two-day visit to Vietnam on October 25 focusing on regional security and strengthening economic ties.

On this occasion, UK Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Development Affairs Catherine West co-chaired the Vietnam-UK Strategic Dialogue with Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang.

The two Deputy Ministers agreed on a Bilateral Action Plan for the UK-Vietnam Strategic Partnership in the coming period.

The plan outlines progress on cooperation on priority issues such as science and technology, education and security. This includes accelerating the transition to clean energy through Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) programme and deepening economic ties when the UK becomes a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade bloc in December.

The British Foreign Secretary also attended the 16th International Scientific Conference on the East Sea organized in Quang Ninh by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

In his speech at the conference, the British Minister stressed the UK's commitment to upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and encouraging de-escalation in the interests of security and prosperity in the region and the world.

The speech highlighted the UK's support for ASEAN's central role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“British and global economic growth depends on us working with partners like Vietnam to protect our shared security. That includes working to maintain vital trade routes in the South China Sea and taking action on climate change, which threatens lives and livelihoods around the world,” said Deputy Minister West.

Deputy Minister West also visited the area affected by Typhoon Yagi in Tien An commune, Quang Yen town, Quang Ninh to express the UK's sincere condolences, and hoped that the UK government's aid worth £1 million could support Vietnam in responding to and overcoming the consequences of this disaster.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/thu-truong-ngoai-giao-anh-tham-viet-nam-20241025144718961.htm