Glasgow (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held a bilateral meeting with British Secretaryof State for Foreign, Com😼monwealth and Development Affairs Elizabeth Truss in Glasgow, Scotland (the UK), on November 1 afternoon (localti♏me).

Son has been accompanying PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh on a trip to Glasgow to attend the 26th UnitedNations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). Expressing his support for the UK’s role as the host of COP26, Son affirmedthat Vietnam continues its strong commitment to contribute to global effortsin response to climate change. He hailed Truss for her important contributions to the signingand implementation of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement in her previous roleas Secretary of State for International Trade. Truss, for her part, pledged to step upbilateral cooperative ties in potential fields such as science-technology, renewable energyand green finance. Both ministers underscored the importance of theissuance of a joint statement on the occasion of the 10th founding anniversaryof the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership.

They agreed to increase the exchange ofdelegations, especially high level ones, while working closely together tocelebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam – UK diplomatic ties in 2023.

Son once again thanked the British Government for granting vaccines and medical equipment to help Vietnam overcome difficulties during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The minister suggested the UK, as a strategic partner, continue to assist Vietnam in accessing vaccines and provide the country with essential medical equipment and supplies and COVID-19 treatment drugs.

The two ministers appreciated the close coordination between the two sides at multilateral forums, especially at the UN Security Council during Vietnam's 2020-2021 tenure as a non-permanent member.

Truss expressed her gratitude for Vietnam's enthusiastic support, especially as Chair of ASEAN 2020, in helping the UK become a dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). She agreed to back the bloc’s centrality in the region.

Son affirmed that Vietnam is ready to support the UK to strengthen its substantive cooperation with ASEAN and to share experience with the UK regarding the negotiation to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Exchanging views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two officials emphasised the importance of upholding international law and ensuring the freedom of navigation and overflight, security, and peace in the East Sea.

On the occasion, Son invited Truss to soon mak🤪e an official visit to Vietnam🦹 and she accepted the invitation with pleasure./.