Party leader Trong arrived in London’s Heathrow airport the same dayto start his official visit to the UK at the invitation of PM DavidCameron. He was greeted with a solemn welcome ceremony.
Atthe talks, PM Cameron spoke highly of socio-economic achievementsrecorded by Vietnam and expressed his belief in the country’spotential to make robust growth.
He said the UKGovernment gives importance to strengthening its relations withVietnam and will make more efforts to realise its commitments inprioritised areas, including the exchange of high-ranking delegations.
ThePM underlined the need to speed up education-training cooperation,especially tertiary and postgraduate education, and encourageuniversities to grant more scholarships to Vietnamese students.
Cameron noted that the UK Government wants to increase investment,boost two-way trade, and speed up the implementation of signed projectswith Vietnam .
In reply, Party leader Trong saidhe is pleased to visit the UK at a significant time for bilateralties and thanked for warm welcome of the UK Government and the PrimeMinister.
He expressed his delight at thecomprehensive and intensive development of Vietnam-UK relations in allfields, especially since the two countries’ adoption of a jointstatement on the establishment of a strategic partnership in September,2010.
Vietnam seeks increased cooperation indefence and security with the UK besides trade, investment, educationand training, the Vietnamese leader said, suggesting the UK increasescholarships for Vietnamese students.
Following thetalks, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) onimmigration information exchange, a Vietnam-UK action plan for 2013, anagreement on the establishment of a bilateral working group on defencecooperation, and a MoU on the establishment of the Vietnam-UKUniversity in Da Nang city in Vietnam .
In the evening, the UK Government hosted a banquet in honour of the Vietnamese Party General Secretary and his entourage.
Earlier upon his arrival in London, the Party leader met with theVietnamese community in the UK, during which he told them about thepurpose and significance of his West European trip, which also includedBelgium, the EU, and Italy .
He also attended aceremony to launch the Friends of Vietnam Network (FVN), where heexpressed belief that with its practical and effective activities, thenetwork will help develop the friendship and cooperation betweenVietnam and the UK .
At the ceremony, the FVNmanaging board presented 3,970 GBP donated by overseas Vietnamese in theUK to the “Hearts for Children” Fund and scholarships to Vietnamesestudents in the 2013-2018 period.
Before leaving Rome, Italyfor London, Party General Secretary Trong met with Pope Benedict XVIat the Vatican. The meeting took place in a frank, open and mutualunderstanding atmosphere.-VNA