(VOVworld)- Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Minister of State at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire co-chaired the fifth Vietnam-UK Strategic Dialogue in London on March 7.

An overview of the fifth Vietnam-UK Strategic Dialogue (Source: VNA)

They focused discussions on issues related to the two countries’ foreign policies and the bilateral cooperation, while proposing measures to deepen the strategic partnership in the priority fields like politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, education and training, security and defence. Regional and international issues of mutual concern were also put on table. The two sides agreed to continue delegation exchanges, intensify consultation at multi-lateral forums and international organisations, such as the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the EU-ASEAN cooperation, especially in international law, sustainable development and climate change adaptation. They agreed to continue to boost economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries and create favourable conditions for their enterprises to approach each other’s business and investment market, while reaffirming commitment to strongly supporting and speeding up the signing and ratification of the Vietnam-EU free trade agreement. The two sides stressed the importance of education and training collaboration. They reached a consensus on efficiently carrying out the bilateral MoU on defence cooperation and boosting coordination in training, defence industry, peacekeeping missions, maritime security, humanitarian aid and settlement of war bomb and mine consequences. They shared the viewpoint that maintaining peace, stability, and navigation freedom and safety is in the common interests of the international community. Swire reaffirmed the UK’s stance in line with the Vietnam-EU joint statement and the ASEAN-EU joint statement on the East Sea issue.  Vietnam welcomes the UK’s implementation of its new Commonwealth Fund to assist efforts to improve the business environment and climate change response for its partner countries in the period after 2016.