Hanoi (VNA) – DeputyForeign Minister To Anh Dung held online talks with Nigel Adams, Minister ofState at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department forInternational Development of the UK, on July 16.

The two officials expressed joyat the strong development of Vietnam-UK strategic partnership since itsestablishment 10 years ago.

Deputy FM Dung praised the UKGovernment’s efforts to counter the COVID-19 pandemic and initiatives topromote international cooperation in medicine, and affirmed that Vietnam isready to work closely with the UK in those efforts.

He welcomed the UK’s decision toput Vietnam in the list of countries exempt from UK travel quarantine, andproposed that the two countries continue assisting each other in citizenprotection.

The Deputy FM affirmed thatVietnam facilitates the entry of foreign diplomats, investors, experts,managers and skilled labourers, including those from the UK, to work inVietnam.

Nigel Adams appreciated Vietnam’smedical capacity in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and thanked Vietnameseagencies, doctors and nurses for their care for UK citizens infected with thecoronavirus.

The official noted his hope tofurther deepen bilateral relations in fields of shared interests such as trade,investment, politics, national defence, security, health, education,science-technology, renewable energy and response to climate change, on theoccasion of the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US strategicpartnership.

The wish was shared by Deputy FMDung, who suggested the two sides maintain current cooperative mechanisms andactively hold talks toward the early signing of a bilateral free tradeagreement.

Adams said the UK valuesVietnam’s role in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia, especially in the context ofthe country concurrently serving as Chair of ASEAN and a non-permanent memberof the UN Security Council (UNSC).

He affirmed that the UK iswilling to cooperate and coordinate closely with Vietnam in multilateralframeworks, adding that the UK supports the maintenance of peace and stability,and advocates the adherence to international law, including the 1982 UNConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in the East Sea.

He also asked Vietnam to supportthe UK in further promoting its relations with the ASEAN following Brexit.

Deputy FM Dung appreciated theVietnam-UK coordination in issues related to peace, security and development,and urged the UK to continue sharing experience with Vietnam in the UNSC.

The Vietnamese officialreiterated that Vietnam welcomes active and constructive efforts of countriesto contribute to maintaining peace and stability, and upholding internationallaw, including the UNCLOS, in the East Sea.

As Chair of ASEAN, Vietnamsupports outside partners, including the UK, in boosting cooperation with theASEAN for common interests, thus contributing to promoting the trend of tradeliberalisation, multilateral cooperation and compliance to international law inthe region and the world, Dung said./.