British official: Vietnam a strategic partner of UK

UK Secretary of State for International Trade Elizabeth Truss (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - Vietnam is a strategic partner of the UK, affirmed UK Secretary of State for International Trade Elizabeth Truss at a meeting with Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Economic Affairs Vu Hong Thanh in Hanoi on December 11.

At the meeting, the guest informed about the official signing of the minutes on the conclusion of negotiations over the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the UK Department for International Trade.

In the coming time, the two sides will soon complete procedures for the agreement to take effect on January 1, 2021, thereby promoting cooperation between the two countries, she said.

She added that the UK is currently looking to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to which Vietnam is a member.

Wishing Vietnam to support and promote the UK's CPTPP joining, the UK official believed that through the deal, the two countries can strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially in areas of UK interest such as green economy and climate change.

For his part, Thanh affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to all-round cooperation with the UK. He wished that the two sides will soon complete the procedures to make the bilateral FTA effective.

He said that among the free trade agreements that Vietnam has signed, the CPTPP is a new-generation FTA that is assessed to have positive impact on the Vietnamese economy. He hoped that the UK will soon join the pact, thus facilitating economic cooperation between the two countries.

Regarding climate change and sea level rise, Thanh stated that as one of the heavily affected countries, Vietnam is aware of the risks from these phenomena. This is a global issue that requires the cooperation of all countries, especially developed countries, including the UK.