Since the two countries established their strategic partnership in 2010, the Vietnam-U.K. relationship has developed strongly and positively. Apart from exchanges of visits of senior leaders, the two countries have maintained various bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Security-Defense Dialogue and Defense Policy Dialogue at the deputy ministerial level and meetings within the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).
Recently, despite the severe impacts of the COVID-19, Vietnam and the U.K. have maintained exchanges of delegations and meetings. In September, 2020, the two countries issued a joint statement on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership with a vision of lifting it to a higher level.
In December, 2020, the two sides also signed the U.K.-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA). At present, the U.K. is Vietnam's third largest export market in Europe and ranks 15th among large investors in Vietnam. In the first half of this year, the import-export turnover between Vietnam and the U.K. reached USD 3.2 billion, of which Vietnam’s export turnover was USD 2.8 billion, a 28.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh |
One of the spotlights in the Vietnam-U.K. strategic partnership is the bilateral cooperation in defense and security. The two defense ministries have upgraded the annual defense policy dialogue to deputy ministerial level defense policy dialogue, formed a working group on defense cooperation in prioritized fields, including U.N. peacekeeping operations, English training, and hydrography, among others.
In addition, Vietnam and the U.K have fostered cooperation and coordination in preventing trans-national crime, terrorism, illegal migration, and human trafficking. They have also promoted cooperation in science-technology, healthcare, culture, education and training, response to natural disasters, and clean energy. More especially, as the COVID-19 spread around the world, the U.K. has been one of the countries, which have contributed COVID-19 vaccine to COVAX facility and supported the most vaccines for Vietnam.
At international and regional forums, the two countries have demonstrated their close and effective cooperation during the time that Vietnam undertook the position as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council in the 2008-2009 and the 2020-2021 tenures. Vietnam and the U.K. were also members of the U.N. Human Right Council in the 2014-2016 tenure.
At present, there are around 100,000 Vietnamese people living, studying and working in the U.K. Most of the overseas Vietnamese in the U.K. live in London, Birmingham, Manchester, etc. Overseas Vietnamese in the country have maintained good relations with representative agencies and have made active contribution to solidarity promotion among expats and development of their homeland.
After one year being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will take place in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12, attracting the participation of 30,000 delegates from 196 member countries. Of participating delegates, there are 120 leaders and prime ministers of countries, U.N. General Secretary and leaders of international organization, multinational corporation and international non-governmental organizations.
In the context of the complicated and unpredictable developments of climate change, COP26 is expected to turn over a new leaf in the global efforts in coping with it. According to COP26’s agenda, delegates will focus discussions on building regulations with main contents, including market and non-market mechanisms, transparency in responding to climate change, resources for climate change response and promotion of equitable and comprehensive climate actions.
In addition, the conference also features theme activities with the participation of leaders of countries, international organizations, businesses and scientists. As the host of COP26, the U.K. is hoping that the conference will reach an agreement on a post-2025 finance goal as well as commitment to achieve the goals set in the Paris Agreement.
At present, Vietnam is one of the countries strongly affected by the climate change. Over the past time, the Vietnamese Party and State have prioritized climate change response over socio-economic development, actively and pro-actively taken measures to respond to the situation and strictly carried out international commitments related to the issues.
In the circumstance, the participation of the Vietnamese Prime Minister and delegation in COP26 is an opportunity for the international community to learn more about Vietnam’s guidelines, determination, efforts as well as challenges in coping with the climate change. In addition, the U.K. visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will contribute to strengthening political trust between the two countries, fostering multifaceted cooperation, and promoting the Vietnam-U.K. strategic partnership in a practical and effective manner.
It is believed that the Vietnamese delegation’s working visit to the U.K. and attendance at COP26 will be successful. Vietnam’s participation in COP26 will help extend a strong message on a responsible, proactive and active Vietnam that is joining hands with the international community in settling global challenges on climate change and demonstrate determination and efforts of Vietnam as well as difficulties and challenges it is facing in coping with the phenomenon.
Translated by Tran Hoai