Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives outgoing British Ambassador Gareth Ward, August 2, 2022. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam always attaches importance to its relations with the UK, PM Chinh said, suggesting the two sides step up the exchange of delegations at all levels, particularly the high level, and organise diverse activities to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2023.

He said the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKFTA) has played a role in forging bilateral economic and trade ties, with two-way trade standing at nearly 6.6 billion USD last year, up 17.2% year-on-year.

PM Chinh also suggested the British side increase the import of Vietnamese agricultural products, including seasonal fruit, and called on British firms to invest more in such areas as green growth, startup, innovation, the diversification of supply chains, education-training and pharmacy.

Ambassador Ward said the UK will continue to support Vietnam in its development, especially in climate change response, and green, sustainable development, he affirmed.

The ambassador voiced his support for ASEAN’s and Vietnam’s stance on ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, and settling disputes in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam) by peaceful measures in line with international law, especially the UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.