VN, UK hold 4th strategic dialogue
VGP – Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Minister of State at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire focused their discussions on economic integration, defense and security and global issues, during the 4th strategic dialogue in Ha Noi on February 27.
Both sides welcomed the deep and wide advancements in the Viet Nam-UK strategic partnership and spoke highly of the bilateral coordination at international forums and organizations like the United Nations and ASEM.
Regarding economic integration, the two sides re-affirmed their commitments to conclude the Viet Nam-EU free trade agreement negotiations soon in order to open up opportunities for business communities.
The UK highly valued Viet Nam’s achievements in international integration and its efforts to become a market economy.
The two sides also welcomed the 8th meeting of the Viet Nam-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee, scheduled to take place in London next month.
The UK pledged to provide support for Viet Nam’s education reform program, applauding the establishment of the Viet Nam-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education in Da Nang as part of much wider education partnership.
The two countries vowed to continue cooperation in coping with climate change and in preparing for joining the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2015 in Paris, France.
Both sides said civilian nuclear cooperation is an important pillar and pledged to continue dialogues in this area.
For regional and international issues, both sides discussed the recent developments in the Middle East, Europe and Asia and other regions.
They shared the view that maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in the region is the common interest of the global community.
The two countries emphasized the common stance of settling territorial disputes in the region through peaceful measures on the basis of international law.
The host and the guest also spoke highly of growing discussions at defense dialogues between the two countries to beef up bilateral initiatives for defense industry and maritime security cooperation./.
By Hai Minh
