On the afternoon of January 13, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received British Ambassador Giles Lever to assume his new task in Vietnam.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung and UK Ambassador to Vietnam Giles Lever
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Welcoming Mr. Giles Lever to be on duty in Vietnam, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stressed that Vietnam-Britain relations is in broad-based development of all fields; affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to, along with British efforts to implement practical, effective program of action for strategic partnerships, benefit for the two countries. In this spirit, the Prime Minister proposed that both sides boost cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, investment, education, training, science, technology, national defense, and security. He called on the UK to continue providing Vietnam with ODA and support the early ratification of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) and signing of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EUVFTA). Two parties should endeavor to promote the potential areas of cooperation such as education - training, science - technology, defense and security.
For his part, Ambassador Giles Lever said his country had ratified the PCA and supports the EU’s ratification and signing of the PCA and FTA with Vietnam. He also appreciated the efforts and results Vietnam has achieved in boosting administrative reform, improving the investment environment and creating favorable conditions for foreign investors, considering these important conditions for British businesses to cooperate, invest and run long-term and effective business in Vietnam.
Giles Lever added the UK is keen to cooperate with Vietnam on such issues as climate change response, preventing illegal wild animal trading, and UN’s peacekeeping activities. These issues will be discussed at the upcoming UK-Vietnam Deputy Foreign Ministerial level strategic dialogue.
