Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn in talks with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron. — Photo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

HÀ NỘI — Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn and UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron expressed their delight over the two countries’ strategic partnership which has been developed in a more effective and deeper manner, during their phone talks on May 10.

The two ministers concurred that the two countries need to continue enhancing exchanges of delegations, particularly those at high level, make effective use of existing cooperative mechanisms such as strategic dialogue, defence policy dialogue, and Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), building and implementing the Việt Nam-UK action plan during 2024-26, and supporting each other at regional and multilateral organisations and forums.

Regarding economic cooperation, Sơn affirmed that Việt Nam backs the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTPP), believing that this is a new locomotive for the two countries to boost cooperation across trade and investment as well as regional economic connectivity.

They agreed to continue fully and effectively carrying out the UK-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement, contributing to the economic development goals of each nation.

Speaking highly of the cooperative outcomes over the past time, Cameron affirmed that the UK attaches much importance to enhancing the strategic partnership with Việt Nam.

He went on to say that the UK will continue its support for Việt Nam in sustainable economic development, and suggested both nations strengthen bonds in immigration control and prevention of illegal immigration.

Minister Sơn stressed that VIệ tNam, as the coordinator of the ASEAN-UK relations during 2024-27, will work to promote practical collaboration between the two sides.

Touching on the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) issue, the two sides affirmed support for maintaining peace, stability, freedom of navigation and overflight, and handling disputes at the waters via peaceful means and based on international laws, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) adopted in 1982. — VNS