Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh talks by phone with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on July 13, 2020. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Mr. Minh said the two should increase exchanges and maintain current cooperation mechanisms, including the strategic dialogue at the deputy-minister level on a UK-Vietnam free trade agreement. He insisted that Vietnam is eager to cooperate with the UK. As the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam is encouraging partners like the UK to increase cooperation with ASEAN and support peace, cooperation, and the observance of international law in the region. 

Mr. Raab said the UK considers Vietnam an important partner in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia in its foreign policy and wishes to deepen the strategic partnership across spheres and strengthen bilateral agreements in economy and trade after the UK leaves the EU.

He thanked Vietnamese agencies and doctors for taking good care of British citizens infected with the coronavirus, and announced that the UK has listed Vietnam among those countries from where travelers will be exempt from quarantine regulations. He promised that the UK will coordinate with Vietnam at the UNSC and other multilateral forums and promised the UK’s support in maintaining peace, security and stability in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam), as well as respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).