UK-Vietnam trade takes off under Prime Minister Phan Van Khai

Mr. Alexander Cook, Representative of the Asia-Pacific Department of the British Foreign Office, visited and signed the condolence book. Photo: Nhu Mai/VNA

According to a VNA reporter in London, on March 20, the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK held a memorial service and opened a condolence book for comrade Phan Van Khai, former Politburo member and former Prime Minister of Vietnam.

In a solemn and emotional atmosphere, the delegation of officials and staff of the Embassy and Vietnamese representative agencies in the UK, led by Ambassador Tran Ngoc An, observed a minute of silence and signed the condolence book in memory of comrade Phan Van Khai.
At the funeral, Ambassador Tran Ngoc An recalled the great contributions to the cause of national development and innovation of the late Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, a shining example of simplicity, humility, and dedication for us to follow.

Sharing with VNA reporters in the UK, Vice President of the Vietnam-UK network, former British Ambassador to Vietnam for the 2000-2003 term, Mr. Warwick Morris said his impression of former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai was "a very close and friendly person. He is a person with an economic reform mindset, encouraging the development of the private economy, and is the person who signed a bilateral trade agreement with the US, bringing Vietnam into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

UK-Vietnam trade relations took off during this period and have continued to grow strongly in the following years. I believe that during the leadership of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, Vietnam's economic growth was a period of stable growth."

Lao Ambassador to the UK, Sayakane Sisouvong, paid his respects. Photo: Nhu Mai/VNA

Lao Ambassador to the UK Sayakane Sisouvong wrote in the condolence book: "On behalf of all staff and the Lao community in the UK, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family, people and Government of Vietnam for the passing of one of Vietnam's beloved leaders and a great comrade of Laos."

Philippine Ambassador to the UK, Antonio Lagdameo, visited and signed the condolence book. Photo: Nhu Mai/VNA

Also on March 20, many local government organizations as well as diplomatic missions in the UK such as the Embassy of the Czech Republic, Singapore, Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, the Republic of Cyprus, Slovenia, Iraq... came to pay their respects and offer condolences to the State and people of Vietnam.