First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon (right) hold talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính at their meeting on October 31. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

SCOTLAND – Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính met with First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon right after landing at Prestwick Airport yesterday morning (local time).

The Government leader is staying in the UK to attend the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) and pay a working visit to the country.

Talking to the host, the Prime Minister affirmed that Việt Nam treasured and wished to enhance the effective and substantive cooperation with the UK and its regions, including Scotland.

Highly valuing the potential of Việt Nam-Scotland relations, he called on Scotland to share experience, help with human resources training, grant scholarships for Vietnamese students, and send experts to assist the Southeast Asian country.

He also asked Sturgeon to facilitate Vietnamese goods’ access to the Scottish market, assuring that Việt Nam would encourage and create favourable conditions for British businesses, including those from Scotland, to expand investment in important sectors of the Vietnamese economy.

Welcoming Chính and the Vietnamese delegation to the COP26 held in Scotland, Sturgeon expressed her belief that Việt Nam would contribute to the success of this event. She also hailed the country’s significant contributions to common efforts in climate change response.

She voiced her support for Chính’s proposals, noting that Scotland was ready to share its experience and cooperate with Việt Nam in developing inshore wind power.

The official added she hoped for stronger ties in human resources development and welcomed Vietnamese students to Scotland.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed on the necessity of cooperation in ensuring equal access to vaccine sources in the COVID-19 fight.

Chính proposed Scotland assist Việt Nam in vaccine supply and essential medical supplies.

He also took this occasion to invite the First Minister and enterprises of Scotland to visit and explore investment opportunities in Việt Nam.

Direct air route

Earlier the same day the Prime Minister attended the announcement ceremony of a direct Việt Nam-UK air route by the Bamboo Airways held in Edinburgh City.

The budget carrier is planning to bring regular direct flights linking Hà Nội and HCM City to London into commercial operation from the end of this year after approvals by the two governments. The initial frequency will be six flights per week, and to daily flights from 2022.

The flights are expected to help shorten the travel time to 12-13 hours, or 7 hours shorter than the transit ones.

The route is also opening up chances to increase flights between Việt Nam and other top destinations in the world. It is expected to help boost the relations of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. — VNA/VNS