Vietnam wants to step up cooperative ties with UK: Party chief

Vietnam wants to bolster cooperation with the United Kingdom (UK) in the fields of economy, trade, investment, finance, culture, education, defence and security, said General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) and UK Ambassador to Vietnam, Gareth Ward.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) and UK Ambassador to Vietnam, Gareth Ward.

Hosting a reception for the newly-accredited UK Ambassador to Vietnam, Gareth Ward, in Hanoi on September 1, the Party chief stressed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the position and role of the UK in the international arena.

He hoped that the two countries will enhance coordination, and support each other at international and multilateral forums, saying he backed the development of UK-ASEAN relations.

Congratulating Ward on his new mission in Vietnam, Party General Secretary Trong wished that the diplomat will have a successful tenure in Vietnam, contributing to the thriving Vietnam-UK relations.

Gareth Ward, for his part, affirmed that both countries hold huge potential for cooperation in various sectors, including economy, finance, education, healthcare and defence.

He said he hoped the two nations will ink a bilateral free trade deal soon, and enhance coordination at the United Nations Security Council as well as settlement of regional and global issues.

He asked Vietnam to back the partnership between the UK and ASEAN, and committed to doing his utmost to elevate the relations between the UK and Vietnam in the coming time.