During the meeting, the UK legislative leader expressed his pleasure at the development of the friendship and co-operation between the legislative bodies, governments and people of the two countries over the past years. He spoke highly of the achievements Viet Nam has made during its national construction process and affirmed the UK Parliament as well as its members' support for the Vietnamese legislature and people.

Chairman An thanked the UK for its assistance during Viet Nam's renewal process, particularly in the areas of development assistance and investment. The UK is the second biggest investor in Viet Nam among European Union countries.

The NA leader cited peace, stability and success in national industrialisation and modernisation as the highest targets of the Vietnamese people. He went on to say that therefore, Viet Nam will always maintain its foreign policy of willingness to be a reliable friend and partner of all nations striving for peace, independence and development.

He also stressed that despite the geographical distance, frequent visits by politicians and entrepreneurs and regular cultural, art and sports exchanges have helped the two countries better understand and trust each other.

Chairman An invited the UK legislative leader to visit Viet Nam. Michael Martin accepted the invitation and said he will pay a visit to Viet Nam at a convenient time. Later, An and his entourage were feted by the House of Common's Speaker.

On March 22, the Vietnamese NA Chairman met with members of the British All-Party Parliamentary Group on Viet Nam. He also held separate talks on how to strengthen the friendly and cooperative ties between Viet Nam and the UK in each domain with Gareth Thomas, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development; Douglas Alexander, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs; Alderman Michael Savory, the Lord Mayor of London, and Ben Chapman, MP, Chairman of the British All-Party Parliamentary Group on Viet Nam.

The same day, Des Browne, MP and Minister of State for Citizenship and Immigration (the Home Department), on behalf of the UK government hosted a grand banquet in honour of Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An and his entourage at the Government Guest House.

NA Chairman An also visited staff of the Vietnamese Embassy, representative offices and overseas Vietnamese in the UK.