King Charles III of the United Kingdom and the British royal family always pay attention to and support Vietnam’s renovation and development as well as the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, the monarch said while meeting with Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong on Friday during the latter’s visit to the UK to attend the former’s coronation.

At the meeting, Vietnamese State President Thuong congratulated the King, British royal family, and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches much importance to the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership and hopes that the king and the British royal family will continue to actively support the deep and comprehensive cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

The head of the Vietnamese state also invited King Charles III to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

In response, King Charles III appreciated the great care of the Vietnamese state leader.

He said he was impressed by Vietnam’s socio-economic development and diplomatic achievements.

The monarch also hailed the Southeast Asian country’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

King Charles III stressed that he throws great support behind the two countries' collaboration in tackling climate change, saying that the UK-based AstraZeneca Plc’s investment of US$50 million in forest and landscape restoration in Vietnam is meaningful.

He expected the two countries to further develop their relations in the next 50 years when they celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year.

State President Thuong was among 100 heads of state at the coronation of King Charles III, held in London on Saturday (local time), at the invitation of the British royal family.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese state leader also met with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said the two countries’ cooperation potential is huge. 

The UK always wants to enhance its connection with Vietnam, Sunak added.

He also thanked Vietnam for supporting the UK in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

President Thuong also met with President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr, French President Emmanuel Macron, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Australian Governor-General David Hurley.

He held meetings with his counterparts from New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovakia, Austria, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, and Israel, European Council President Charles Michel, and Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Mathias Cormann, among others.

Leaders of countries and international organizations spoke highly of the effective cooperation with Vietnam.

State President Thuong agreed to boost the bilateral relations with other countries and international organizations in the coming time to promote peace and prosperity in the region and the world as a whole.

Trade between Vietnam and the UK reached $6.83 billion in 2022, up 3.4 percent over 2021.

Of the total, Vietnam exported $6.06 billion worth of products to the European country, a year-on-year rise of 5.2 percent.

As of November last year, the UK was among the 15 largest investors in Vietnam with 500 projects and total registered capital of $4.19 billion, up 5.3 percent over 2021.

Some 13,000 Vietnamese students are studying in the UK, news site VnExpress reported.

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