PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and PM Gordon Brown - Photo: VNGOP

In the atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding and trust, the two PMs thoroughly discussed solutions to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, focusing on economy, trade, and education.

PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng affirmed that Việt Nam will continue its economic reforms, open financial and banking systems, accelerate the equitization of State-owned enterprises, and seriously realize its WTO commitments.

PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and his entourage witness the signing of cooperation documents between the two foreign ministries - Photo: VNGOP

PM Gordon Brown highly spoke of Việt Nam’s achievement after 20 years of reforms and integration to the world, in particular, on socio-economic development, poverty reduction, and implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals. The host pledged to continue supporting Việt Nam alleviate poverty and to promote bilateral cooperation in education.

And between the Việt Nam Ministry of Education and Training and the UK Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills - Photo: VNGOP

PM Gordon Brown confirmed that Việt Nam is one of the UK’s 17 priority trade partners in the world, adding that he would encourage more British businesses to do investments in Việt Nam.

The British PM also stressed the closer cooperation on migration, organized crime and people smuggling.

On the occasion, the two Governments inked several documents on the cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries and a Memorandum of Understanding on educational cooperation.

At the end of the talks, the two sides issued a joint statement in which they agreed to build the relationship between the two countries into a partnership for progress.

Earlier, in the morning, after laying a wreath in memory of President Hồ Chí Minh at former Carlton Hotel where the President had stayed, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and his entourage paid a visit to University London.

PM Dũng expressed his hope that, the UK, with its advanced education, will support Việt Nam’s educational renovation. Việt Nam wants to expand cooperation on tertiary education with developed countries, especially the UK, said the Vietnamese PM, adding that he fully advocates the UK universities to establish their training facilities in Việt Nam. It was reported that up to 2010, 40-60 new school links between the UK and Việt Nam will be established, and that 500 Vietnamese PhDs will be trained at the UK research universities.

In the same morning, Deputy PM, FM Phạm Gia Khiêm opened the Vietnamese Contemporary Arts Exhibition held at the Limkokwing University.

Before wrapping up their UK visit, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng had meetings with Mr. Michael Martin Speaker of the British House of Commons and Baroness Helenne Valerie Hayman, Lord Speaker of the UK House of Lords. He also attended the opening ceremony of the ‘’Grace of Việt Nam” Gala at Central Hall Westminster.

By Xuân Hồng