President Tran Dai Quang (right) and outgoing UK Ambassador Giles Lever (Source: VNA)

At a reception for outgoing UK Ambassador Giles Lever in Hanoi on Thursday, the President affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to promoting the strategic partnership with the UK, one of the country’s priority European partners. He urged the two countries to increase cultural and sport exchange programs to reinforce their friendship and mutual understanding. The President suggested both sides maintain and enhance the exchange of high-ranking delegations to create political trust, step up economic, trade and investment links, expand collaboration in national defence-security, crime combat and peacekeeping operations, and maintain their affiliation in culture, health care, sports and education-training. The leader also urged the two countries to carry forward mutual consultation and support mechanisms at multi-lateral forums and within the framework of the United Nations. Ambassador Lever reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to maintaining collaboration with partners in the Asia-Pacific region as the country withdraws from the European Union (EU). He said the UK will continue renewing economic cooperation with Vietnam in many areas such as business climate improvement and green city building. Lever also noted the UK’s strong support for the early signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the Vietnam-UK Bilateral Free Trade Agreement.