Foreign Secretary’s meeting with Foreign Minister Minh of Vietnam, 30 September

The Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister used the meeting to agree the refreshed Strategic Partnership framework to enhance cooperation between the two countries for the next 10 years. This framework spans a range of areas including climate change, trade, security, human rights and closer ties on innovation and collaboration to develop a Covid-19 vaccine and therapeutics.

On tackling the spread of Covid-19, they agreed that alongside the search for a vaccine it was important to work together to ensure the most vulnerable countries in the world were not left behind during the ongoing pandemic. They also discussed an additional £6.3m UK funding for regional collaboration on a range of programmes to tackle the health and economic impacts of Covid-19.

They discussed a new Free Trade Agreement and their shared ambitions to conclude a new deal as soon as possible which would build on the already extensive trading relationship.

Deputy Prime Minister Minh expressed Vietnam’s support for the UK’s application for ASEAN Dialogue Partner status and the UK’s ambition to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

On climate change, they agreed to deepen cooperation on green finance and renewable energy to support implementation of the Paris Agreement. With the UK hosting COP26 next year they also discussed how technological innovation could drive further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

The Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Minh resolved to continue close collaboration on security issues including a shared ongoing commitment to upholding maritime law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also agreed further cooperation on building capacity to tackle the illegal trafficking of people.

Finally they both agreed on the mutual benefits of educational exchanges between the two countries.