NA Chairwoman greets Deputy Speaker of UK House of Commons

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Eleanor Laing, Deputy Speaker of the UK House of Commons

She called on Eleanor Laing, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, who was on a visit to Hanoi, to continue her support for the two countries’ cooperation on science, education and training, as well as to continue covering a programme teaching English to Vietnamese deputies and officials of NA agencies.

During their meeting in Hanoi on October 3, the host said the UK was now a major partner to Vietnam in the context of Europe and the world but that two-way trade of US$5.4 billion in 2015 had yet to meet its potential.

In light of this, the top legislator said she hoped that Vietnam would step up its investments and exports to the UK.

In reply, Deputy Speaker Laing said both Vietnam and the UK had made progress on gender equality.

She cherished the two countries’ bilateral cooperation in a variety of fields, especially education and training and legislative affairs.

She said that the UK wished to boost its ties, particularly in economic terms, with foreign countries like Vietnam, describing the Southeast Asian nation as an important partner to her country.

She informed Chairwoman Ngan that the Head of the UK Department for International Trade would soon visit Vietnam to discuss this issue.

The UK stood ready, she said, to share its experience with Vietnam in areas of concern to the country and wished to continue the Chevening scholarship programme, among other programmes. She dubbed education and training as a bridge advancing the cultural ties between the two countries.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the guest said the UK backed the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, as well as the peaceful settlement of any such disputes in line with international law.

The same day, Deputy Speaker Laing was received by Nguyen Thien Nhan, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), who said Vietnam always attached importance to strengthening its strategic partnership with the UK.

He affirmed that the UK’s decision to leave the European Union would not affect his country’s relations with Vietnam.

The VFF leader suggested the two sides’ enterprises expand their investment and business relations and called on UK firms to increase their presence in Vietnam in the domains of finance, banking, infrastructure development, insurance, science and technology, oil and gas, and aviation.

The Vietnamese official asked the UK government to enhance cooperation on education with Vietnam, to further support the country in training high-quality human resources and to work closely with the Asian nation to effectively implement projects approved by the UK.

He expressed his hope that Vietnam and the UK would continue effectively cooperating in dealing with global issues like climate change and rising sea levels, as well as on realising sustainable development goals.

He introduced Deputy Speaker Laing to the purpose and objectives of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, emphasising the VFF’s role in promoting the great unity of the nation.

In her reply, Deputy Speaker Laing spoke highly of the VFF’s role in leading socio-political organisations, supervising and giving consultations to the National Assembly in law-making.

She said she hoped her current visit would contribute to developing the strategic partnership between the two countries.

She declared that Vietnam would be one of the UK’s leading trade partners./.

Source: NDO/VNA