General Secretary To Lam visits the UK: 5 expected pillars of cooperation

British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew expressed optimism and great expectations for the substantial results that General Secretary To Lam's official visit to the UK will bring, hoping that the five key areas will be consolidated and deepened.

5 pillars of substantive cooperation expected

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

General Secretary To Lam and his wife leave Hanoi for an official visit to the UK.

PHOTO: VNA

In an interview with Thanh Nien Newspaper on the occasion of General Secretary To Lam's official visit, British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew affirmed that the visit is a very important and historic event.

"This is the first visit by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the UK in 13 years. The visit marks a new development in the relationship between the two countries, bringing this relationship to a higher level," Ambassador Frew emphasized.

The British Ambassador said the highlight of the visit was the high-level political dialogue between the two countries' leaders.

"Maintaining trust and dialogue at the highest levels will help the two countries promote common interests - from free trade, global security to responding to international challenges in the context of a world full of uncertainties," Ambassador Frew shared.

Ambassador Iain Frew expressed his optimism and high expectations for the substantial results that the visit would bring. At the same time, he outlined five key areas that the two sides would focus on strengthening and deepening.

First, on economic and technological cooperation, we will continue to promote economic cooperation, especially in the fields of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and emerging technologies - key factors for Vietnam's next stage of development.

Second, in the financial sector, Vietnam is aiming to build an international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The UK is working closely to share experiences and support the development of professional finance and legal services. The development of the financial sector will create capital for the sustainable development of the entire economy.

Third, in the area of ​​education and skills training, this will continue to be a focus in new agreements.

Fourth, in the field of green transition, cooperation in energy and green transition will be accelerated. "I believe that the discussions in London will concretize ambitions into practical cooperation programs that will benefit both countries," Ambassador Frew shared.

Fifth, on global cooperation, in the context of a changing global environment, the ambassador said that the two countries have many common interests - from protecting the international system based on rules, to ensuring free trade, safe and stable supply chains. The visit will guide the two countries to cooperate more deeply in the future.

Impressive achievements in 15 years of Strategic Partnership

Looking back on the 15 years since the two countries established the Strategic Partnership, Ambassador Iain Frew expressed his joy and impression with the remarkable progress in all fields.

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

PHOTO: VNA

Regarding trade and investment, the Ambassador was particularly impressed with the growth rate. "Over the past decade, two-way trade turnover has almost tripled, now reaching more than £9 billion per year," the Ambassador informed.

This strong growth, according to Ambassador Frew, is underpinned by the bilateral free trade agreement (UKVFTA) and the UK's official accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) last year with the support of Vietnam.

In the field of education, the Ambassador assessed that there was "very impressive" cooperation. He said that over the past 15 years, there have been more than 75,000 Vietnamese students studying in the UK and currently there are about 12,000 students studying each year.

"More importantly, this helps build bridges between the two countries. People who have studied and lived in the UK are now contributing to society and helping to further connect the two countries," said Mr. Frew.

Climate cooperation has also developed "very strongly", especially after Vietnam's historic commitment at COP26 (2021) to target net zero emissions by 2050. The two countries are working closely through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The Ambassador revealed that a British energy delegation recently visited Vietnam to support the development of the offshore wind power industry, an area in which the UK has a lot of practical experience.

In addition, defense and security cooperation is also a "very dynamic" area, with the UK supporting Vietnam in United Nations peacekeeping operations, contributing to regional and global security.

"I believe that with partners like the UK, together with seizing opportunities and overcoming global challenges, Vietnam is fully capable of continuing to succeed and realizing its great aspirations and potential in this new stage of development," Ambassador Frew emphasized.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tong-bi-thu-to-lam-tham-anh-5-tru-cot-hop-tac-duoc-ky-vong-185251028134846152.htm