Vietnam, UK keen on fostering parliamentary cooperation
Speaker of the UK House of Lords John Francis McFall hosted a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long in London on November 22.
Speaker of the UK House of Lords John Francis McFall (R) receives Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long. (Photo: VNA)
London (VNA) – Speaker of the UK House of Lords John Francis McFall hosted a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long in London on November 22.
Expressing his delight at the growing ties between the UK and Vietnam over the years, McFall affirmed his willingness to support Vietnam and the Vietnamese Embassy in implementing activities to promote bilateral friendship and strategic partnership in the time to come, including the exchange of delegations and bilateral cooperation through the parliamentary channel. He hailed Vietnam’s efforts in fighting COVID-19.
For his part, Ambassador Long reviewed major milestones in the Vietnam-UK relationship over the past 50 years, including the issuance of the Joint Statement on the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership: Development Orientation in the Next 10 Years", and the signing of the bilateral free trade agreement (UKVFTA) in 2020.
Both sides reached important agreements during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) and a working visit to the UK from October 31 to November 3, he noted, adding that during the visit, the two countries defined science-technology, renewable energy and green finance as priorities in their cooperation in the time to come.
On the occasion, the Vietnamese diplomat suggested that McFall assist Vietnam in implementing major cooperation programmes and projects and enhancing the legal capacity, while increasing the exchange of parliamentarian delegations.
Over the years, the parliaments of Vietnam and the UK have enjoyed effective collaboration, especially through the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).
Recently, the Vietnamese National Assembly delegation led by head of the NA Science, Technology and Environment Committee Le Quang Huy attended the COP26 Parliamentary Meeting and met with head of the parliamentarians’ delegation. In October last year, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the APPG held the first dialogue via videoconference with the theme of “cooperation in green economic development post-COVID-19”. Despite COVID-19 impacts, both sides have maintained exchanges and sped up cooperation programmes./.
The Plan of Action on tertiary education between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and Wales authorities in Edinburgh city, Scotland was exchanged on October 31.
Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung and the UK’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Chris Philp signed a Letter of Intent on cooperation in digital economy and digital transformation on November 1 (London time).
The bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the United Kingdom (UK) is at the finest development stage, said Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long when presenting his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II on November 18 via a virtual ceremony.
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Speaker of the UK House of Lords John Francis McFall (R) receives Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long. (Photo: VNA) 
