Vietnam-UK Joint Economic and Trade Commission’s 8th session is held in London on March 2. (Photo: VNA)

(VOVworld) – The UK strongly supports Vietnam’s negotiations towards a free trade agreement with the European Union and hopes that the FTA will soon be signed. While addressing the 8^th session of the Vietnam-UK Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) in London on Monday, UK Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire expressed his hope that priority fields such as education, energy, and financial infrastructure will see closer bilateral cooperation. He noted that JETCO 8 enables Vietnam and the UK to fully review the cooperation that has been fostered by their strategic partnership established 8 years ago.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa said that in realizing its commitments to the WTO, Vietnam is creating laws that allow foreign pharmaceutical firms to become exclusive distributors in Vietnam. Thoa urged the UK to accelerate the issuance of competency certificates to Vietnamese sailors. She suggested Vietnam and the UK continue exchanging information about goods production and delivery through mercantile exchanges.