Vietnamese PM meets British Foreign Secretary in Hanoi

Hanoi, April 25 (Xinhua-ANI): Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met here on Wednesday with the visiting British Foreign Secretary William Hague, during which the two leaders expressed delight at the current finely developing relations of strategic partnership between the two countries, local media reported.

The Vietnam-UK cooperation has strongly developed in all fields, especially in economics, trade and investment. Currently, among Vietnam's EU trade partners, the UK is the biggest one, with a two- way trade turnover of over 3 billion U.S. dollars in 2011, Nguyen Tan Dung said, adding British investment in Vietnam reached 2.5 billion U.S. dollars so far.

However, potential for cooperation between the two countries is still huge, and both sides should actively implement their plan of actions under the strategic partnership to achieve practical and effective results, for peace and development in the region and the world as well, Nguyen said.

On the occasion, Nguyen suggested the two sides increase the exchange of visits, boost trade and investment activities, as well as expand cooperation in tourism, education and training.

Vietnam is ready to cooperate with the UK in national defense and security, added Nguyen.

He also affirmed that Vietnam will effectively use the official development assistance (ODA) given by the UK, especially in poverty reduction. He expressed his wish that the UK will grant more scholarships to the Vietnamese students to study in the UK, and open more international schools in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister recommended the British Foreign Secretary to discuss with relevant Vietnamese agencies to promote the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation, and work on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed his delight at the ever developing relations between the two countries, especially since they have been raised to the level of strategic partnership. Cooperation in education, ODA for poverty reduction, response to climate change, anti-corruption fight, etc. has strongly boosted.

Hague said his visit to Vietnam is aimed at expanding cooperation with Vietnam in various fields, especially in economics, trade and investment, education, and prevention and fight against crimes.

He also affirmed that the British government will encourage and provide favorable conditions for businesses to invest in Vietnam and to develop human resource training.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague is paying an official visit to Vietnam, from April 24-25, at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh to boost ties. (Xinhua-ANI)