VNA - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh suggested facilitating visits at all levels while greeting new Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Giles Lever in Hanoi on December 3.

The move is to deepen bilateral ties in the coming time, Minh said, adding that more assistance should be given to business communities while a project on Viet Nam – UK university in the central city of Da Nang be stepped up.

About multilateral coordination, the host asked the UK Government to strengthen the Viet Nam – EU collaboration in general and the Viet Nam – UK ties within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting and the United Nations.

The ambassador made it clear that the UK attaches importance to intensifying the strategic partnership with Viet Nam, especially in politics-diplomacy, economics-trade-investment, education-training, among others.

He informed the host that the UK backs the acceleration of negotiations for the early signing of the Vietnam – EU free trade agreement, and vowed to do his best for the sake of both nations during his tenure in Vietnam.