Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. (Source: VNA)

On the morning of July 26, at the Government headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the UK, Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI).

At the reception, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his appreciation for Mr. Tony Blair's attention, affection and contributions to the relationship between the two countries during his term as British Prime Minister (1997-2007) as well as in the current period.

The Prime Minister hopes that the former Prime Minister will continue to promote and contribute to the development of the Vietnam-UK relationship, making it more in-depth, substantive, and fruitful in all areas, especially when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023).

Congratulating the UK on joining the CPTPP, the Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam supports and is ready to actively coordinate with the UK to promote the effective and efficient implementation of the CPTPP.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed his special affection and great expectations for Vietnam's development potential; he was impressed with the innovative and open-minded spirit of the Vietnamese Government. The former Prime Minister said that the UK always attaches importance to the strategic partnership with Vietnam and believes that the relationship between the two countries will continue to be strengthened in the coming time.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President of the Tony Blair Institute were pleased to note that after their meeting in March 2023, cooperation between TBI and a number of Vietnamese agencies has made significant progress, achieving a number of specific results. It is expected that on the occasion of the President's visit, TBI will sign a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Planning and Investment on attracting high-quality foreign investment and developing a financial center in Vietnam.

TBI has initially actively supported Vietnamese ministries and branches to connect and approach foreign enterprises and investment funds with potential and desire to invest in Vietnam; researched the opening of representative offices in Vietnam, demonstrating the Institute's commitment to long-term cooperation with Vietnam.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, especially the trends of the fourth industrial revolution, artificial intelligence, the rise of protectionism, strategic competition, etc. The Prime Minister suggested that the two sides strengthen cooperation to grasp, exploit, and promote opportunities and overcome difficulties and challenges.

Regarding some priority cooperation orientations, the Prime Minister suggested that TBI promote connections with foreign partners and enterprises investing in Vietnam, including investment funds and corporations from Europe and the Middle East; support Vietnam in attracting resources for green growth, emission reduction and climate change response. TBI coordinates to implement the Political Declaration on the establishment of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in a practical and effective manner. TBI shares experiences and recommendations on building a carbon market in Vietnam.

Along with that, TBI supports promoting digital transformation, implementing the National Digital Transformation Program, building innovation centers, manufacturing semiconductor chips; developing green energy, hydrogen; supporting the improvement of medical capacity to respond to future epidemic challenges, developing the pharmaceutical industry...

The TBI Chairman agreed with the Prime Minister's view on the need to strengthen international solidarity, promote multilateralism in solving global and national issues, especially in responding to climate change and disease challenges....

The TBI Chairman affirmed that TBI will always accompany and support Vietnam and continue to work with relevant agencies to promote and implement specific cooperation activities, programs and projects, especially in the areas that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has commented on.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that he assigned relevant ministries and agencies to continue actively discussing and specifying cooperation contents with TBI; believing that with close coordination, focus and key points, cooperation between the two sides will become increasingly substantive and effective, bringing benefits to the people, in accordance with the needs and capabilities of both sides and the laws of Vietnam and the UK.