VN, UK AGREE TO EXPAND DEFENSE COOPERATION

Vietnamese Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh on Friday welcomed Minister of State at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire who is in Viet Nam to co-chair the 4th strategic dialogue between the two countries.

The two sides expressed their pleasures at the fine development of the strategic partnership driven by seven keys, namely politics-diplomacy, international and regional issues, trade-investment, development cooperation, education-training, defense-security, and people-to-people exchanges.

Both sides agreed to foster regular high-level contacts and coordination at multilateral forums and international organizations like the United Nations.

The two countries committed to accelerating economic, trade and investment links while expanding cooperation in defense and security, education and training, science and technology.

Mr. Hugo Swire affirmed that the UK Government attaches importance to enhancing relations with Viet Nam, highly valuing the Southeast Asian country's achievements in socio-economic development and international integration during the past years.

Viet Nam and the UK set up strategic partnership in September 2010.