Vietnam and the UK should continue to implement signed agreements and propose new cooperation programmes, especially in economics, trade and investment.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the suggestion while receiving former Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair in Hanoi on November 1.

The Vietnamese leader said the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership is developing and benefits both sides.

He highly valued the former UK Prime Minister’s contributions to strengthening bilateral ties, and said he hopes the UK continue providing official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam to meet Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including poverty reduction.

He spoke highly of effective cooperation between Blair’s Office and the Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment, particularly in foreign direct investment attraction and infrastructure development in the form of private public partnership (PPP).

The Vietnamese PM said he wishes that the former UK Prime Minister will make further contribution to fostering the relationship between Vietnam and the European Union (EU), especially the acceleration of the singing of the Vietnam–EU Free Trade Agreement (VEFTA) and early ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).

For his part, Blair pledged to do his best to beef up EU-Vietnam relations and share experience with the country in attracting foreign investment and promoting trade, and education and training.

He also affirmed closer coordination with the Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment and other relevant Vietnamese agencies in selecting local enterprises and prioritising infrastructure projects to attract foreign investment.

VNA/VNN