Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (right) and UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt at a meeting in London on October 10, 2018 (Photo: Hai Minh/VGP)

At a meeting with Prince Andrew on Tuesday at Buckingham Palace, Mr. Minh said he hopes the Prince will continue to back the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership. He urged the Prince to push UK investment in Vietnam. Prince Andrew said he hopes the Vietnamese government will create favorable conditions for UK investors to do business in Vietnam, adding that he is ready to help Vietnam build a start-up ecosystem and train a high-tech workforce.

During a conversation with Lord Fowler, Speaker of the House of Lords, Deputy PM Minh said Vietnam treasures the strategic partnership with the UK. He urged the two legislatures to foster collaboration, boost the exchange of delegations, and increase meetings on the sidelines of important multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Asia-Europe Meeting.

Deputy PM Minh and UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt agreed to mutual consultations on regional and global issues of shared concern during their talks in London on Wednesday. They welcomed the idea of accelerating negotiations on the Vietnam-UK Free Trade Agreement to enhance bilateral trade and investment after the UK leaves the EU.  

At the Vietnam-UK Economic Forum on Tuesday, Mr. Minh said Vietnam considers trade and investment with the UK a pillar of the bilateral strategic partnership.

The same day, the Deputy PM attended a ceremony celebrating the 45^th anniversary of Vietnam-UK diplomatic ties and presented friendship orders and medals to British individuals in recognition of their contributions to the bilateral friendship.