The Speaker of the House of Commons of UK, Lindsay Hoyle, cordially received Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long. Photo: VNA

At the Houses of Parliament in London, on January 18, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, cordially received the Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long. He updated information on the situation in Vietnam, and exchanged orientations to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

At the meeting, the Lindsay Hoyle expressed his delight at Vietnam's impressive achievements, and the development in the two countries' relations in recent years. He said that Vietnam is an important partner of the UK, especially in the post-Brexit UK (UK leaving the EU) and the two countries implementing the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).

Lindsay Hoyle appreciated the role of the Vietnam National Assembly over the years, as well as Vietnam's contributions at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The Speaker of the House of Commons congratulated Vietnam's successful tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council 2020-2021. He appreciated Vietnam's role in ASEAN, said that the UK supports Vietnam's position in settling disputes in the Bien Dong Sea, on the basis of the rule of law.

Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long said that the two countries' relationship is in the best stage of development, there are opportunities to strengthen cooperation in many fields.

Long said two-way trade turnover in 2021 has reached US$6.6 billion, an increase of more than 17% compared to 2020. He also said that trade exchange between Vietnam and the UK will continue to be strengthened, bringing benefits to businesses and people of the two countries in the next few years.

The Ambassador asked the Speaker of the House of Commons to facilitate the exchange of delegations between the two parliaments in the near future.

Long also wants the UK to support Vietnam in the implementation of UKVFTA, in cooperation projects between the two countries. There are projects such as improving legal capacity, education-training, and areas where the UK has strengths such as finance, science and technology, renewable energy.

Lindsay Hoyle said they are ready to support Vietnam and the Vietnamese Embassy in London in implementing activities to strengthen the friendship and strategic partnership in the next few years.

In the afternoon of the same day, the British Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos, Graham Stuart, cordially received Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long at the Parliament Headquarter.

Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long congratulated Graham Stuart on being appointed Trade Envoy in charge of Vietnam at a time when the relations between the two countries are at the best stage of development.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long presents a souvenir to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle. Photo: VNA

The Ambassador said that UKVFTA is opening up new opportunities in economy and trade, bringing practical benefits to businesses and people of the two countries. Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long said that trade exchanges between Vietnam and the UK will continue to be strengthened. He said Vietnam supports UK's participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Graham Stuart appreciated Vietnam's achievements and potential for economic development.

He expressed interest in Vietnam's trade and investment activities to promote Vietnamese products, goods and services in the UK market; while enhancing mutual understanding and building trust, contributing to cooperation between the two sides.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed on priorities in the next few years, including activities connecting partners and businesses of the two countries. The activities are in areas where the UK has strengths and Vietnam has great potential for development such as education, finance, renewable energy, green transition.

Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long also asked Prime Minister's Trade Envoy Graham Stuart to support connecting Vietnam with localities and economic regions of the UK. This is to promote cooperation opportunities between businesses and localities of the two countries, fostering the strengths of each side.

The Ambassador said that with his experience in export and investment, Graham Stuart will contribute to the bilateral relationship, especially in the implementation of UKVFTA.

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