On the afternoon of October 29 (local time), at the Prime Minister's Office and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Keir Starmer presided over the official welcoming ceremony for General Secretary To Lam.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed General Secretary To Lam at the main gate. Afterwards, General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Anh Kier Starmer led the high-ranking delegations of the two countries to hold talks.
At the talks, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that Vietnam is a dynamic economy with high openness that is playing an increasingly important role in the Asia-Pacific region and is one of the UK's leading important partners in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific.
General Secretary To Lam emphasized that Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and strategic partnership with the UK on the basis of mutual respect for mutual benefit and towards the future, and is ready to cooperate closely with the UK to elevate the relationship on key pillars.
At the meeting, the two leaders affirmed that the two countries have great potential for cooperation in the new period, especially in the transition of the economy - energy towards green and sustainable development, development of the digital technology industry, and training of high-quality human resources.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his desire to work with Vietnam to develop comprehensive bilateral relations, especially within the framework of the Vietnam - UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the UK Government is ready to support Vietnam in the process of implementing its commitment to achieve net emissions of 0 (net-zero) by 2050, while encouraging UK businesses to increase investment and cooperation in Vietnam, and pledging to support Vietnam in implementing the Joint venture for Energy Transition (JETP).
The two leaders agreed to set a goal of doubling trade turnover in the coming time. The UK Prime Minister hopes that Vietnam will support cooperation in e-commerce and financial services within the framework of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Regarding security and defense cooperation, the two sides agreed to diversify cooperation, jointly resolve the fight against illegal immigration and agreed to strengthen defense cooperation related to peacekeeping and training forces.
At the end of the talks, the two leaders issued a Joint Statement on the two sides officially upgrading the Vietnam - UK relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The content of the Joint Statement highly appreciates the important achievements of bilateral relations, affirms the principles, sets out major orientations to promote and enhance cooperation, develop the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK, for the long-term interests of the people of the two countries, for peace, society and sustainable development in each region and in the world.
On this occasion, the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Ministry of Home Affairs of the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding on international fraud prevention and control cooperation and a Plan to strengthen cooperation on migration issues.
