Britain's Queen Elizabeth II laughs with US President Donald Trump during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. — AFP Photo LONDON — US President Donald Trump meets outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday for trade-centred talks during his state visit to Britain, with protesters set to gather outside the gates. After a glittering banquet thrown by Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, the second day of Trump's trip turns from pomp and ceremony to politics and business. The president's three-day visit -- centred around Wednesday's D-Day 75th-anniversary commemorations -- comes at a tricky time for Britain, with May stepping down within weeks over her handling of Brexit. The UK-US "special relationship" has been under strain over different approaches to Iran, the use of Chinese technology in 5G networks, climate change, and Trump's personal politics. May is due to step down as leader of the governing Conservative … [Read more...] about Trump turns to trade talks on UK state visit
State visits to uk
Prime Minister pays visit to Belgium amidst thriving bilateral ties
Source: crossed-flag-pins.com Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s upcoming official visit to Belgium takes place in the context of constant development of the relationship between Vietnam and the country in various realms and at different levels. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (March 22, 1973). Belgium is Vietnam’s seventh biggest importer in the European Union (EU), after Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, France, Spain and Austria. Though being only a small country, Belgium has served as an important gateway for Vietnam’s commodities to access other Western European nations. In 2017, Belgium had 62 investment projects with total capital of 595 million USD in Vietnam. Most projects are of small scale. Meanwhile, Vietnam has invested in two projects in Brussels, including a 152,000 USD trade promotion centre in Brussels and the Europe trade and investment joint stock … [Read more...] about Prime Minister pays visit to Belgium amidst thriving bilateral ties
State leaders to attend int’l events
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday announced official visits broad to be made by Vietnamese leaders next week. At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc will attend the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit and visit Japan from October 7 to 10, the ministry’s spokesperson Lê Thị Thu Hằng said at a press briefing. The 10th Mekong-Japan Summit marks the tenth year of Mekong-Japan co-operation and the third year of the 2015 Tokyo strategy. The participation of Vietnamese delegation to the summit aims to affirm Việt Nam’s commitment to this co-operation mechanism, to assess experience obtained over the past 10 years and to work out plans to enhance co-operation, she said. The visit to Japan of Prime Minister Phúc takes place with the two countries celebrating 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and aims at tightening the Việt Nam-Japan … [Read more...] about State leaders to attend int’l events
Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta leaves for visit to UK
Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta (Source: AFP/VNA)State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said President Kenyatta will embark on the visit with his mind set on boosting trade ties with the UK and other Commonwealth countries, as well as diversifying investments that Kenya attracts. He will be among leaders from 53 Commonwealth countries who will gather in London this week to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. As scheduled, President Uhuru Kenyatta is due to hold discussions with British Prime Minister Theresa May on trade, investment, security and bilateral relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom. Besides, he will also hold talks with Queen Elizabeth II. During his visit, the President will deliver a public lecture at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, popularly referred to as Chatham House in London. The UK is a key traditional partner of Kenya, being a major importer of products such as fresh flowers and tea, among others./. Compiled by BTA … [Read more...] about Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta leaves for visit to UK
Moscow blames UK as EU nations mull expelling Russian diplomats
Investigations are continuing in Britain over the poisoning of a former Russian double agent. (Photo: AFP/Geoff Caddick) Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hit out at Britain for garnering EU support over the poisoning of a former double agent, suggesting that London's focus was now on making "the crisis with Russia as deep as possible". Diplomatic pressure is growing on Moscow over its role in the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury in early March. The European Union is recalling its ambassador to Moscow for consultations and a number of member states are considering whether to follow Britain's lead and expel Russian intelligence agents posing as diplomats. "As for the decision taken, we regret in this context that again such decisions are taken using the wording 'highly likely'," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "We don't agree with this and we repeat again that Russia absolutely definitely has nothing to … [Read more...] about Moscow blames UK as EU nations mull expelling Russian diplomats
Australia says open to UK joining Pacific trade group after Brexit
LONDON -- Australia said on Monday it would be open to the idea of Britain joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership regional trade group after it leaves the European Union. But Julie Bishop, visiting Britain as Prime Minister Theresa May tries to unite her cabinet on what they want from Brexit, also said Australia would only be able to strike a bilateral trade deal with Britain if London sticks to its plan to leave the EU’s customs union. “We would of course welcome interest from an economy the size of Britain‘s,” she said in response to a question about Britain joining the TPP after delivering a speech at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in London’s financial center. British trade minister Liam Fox said earlier this year that joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership was an option for the country after Brexit. The 11 TPP countries - which include Japan, Canada and Mexico as well as Australia - are due to sign their agreement in March. U.S. President Donald … [Read more...] about Australia says open to UK joining Pacific trade group after Brexit
Chinese paper says UK trying to grab attention with mission in disputed waters
Britain's Defence Ministry is trying to justify its existence and grab attention with a planned mission by a British warship to the disputed South China Sea next month, a Chinese newspaper said on Wednesday. A British warship will sail through the South China Sea, which Vietnam calls the East Sea, to assert freedom-of-navigation rights, British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said in remarks published on Tuesday during a visit to Australia. British officials first flagged the voyage six months ago and the journey is likely to stoke tensions with China, who claim control of most of the area and have built military facilities on land features in the sea. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to the energy-rich sea through which billions of dollars in trade pass each year. The widely read state-run tabloid the Global Times said Williamson needed to state clearly the purpose of the mission. "If not provocation, the Royal Navy should behave modestly … [Read more...] about Chinese paper says UK trying to grab attention with mission in disputed waters
Myanmar, UK discuss Rohingya crisis
Boris Johnson meets Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar’s capital of Naypyitaw (Photo: Myanmar News Agency Handout/EPA) Hanoi (VNA) - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has urged Myanmar to tackle the Rohingya crisis, which is at risk of turning into a humanitarian disaster over poor sanitation at Bangladesh refugee camp. As part of his four-day visit to Myanmar, Johnson met Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw on February 11 to discuss the Southeast Asian nation's Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority and how almost 700,000 of them can be repatriated safely after fleeing to Bangladesh to escape violence. Johnson arrived in Myanmar from Bangladesh, where he visited Rohingya refugees. Violence broke out in Rakhine state after gunmen attacked 24 police posts and broke into a military outpost in Rakhine on August 25, 2017, with the country’s army responding with brutal clearing operations that have led to accusations of crimes against humanity. The Bangladeshi … [Read more...] about Myanmar, UK discuss Rohingya crisis
British PM Theresa May visits China
British PM Theresa May visits China (Source: AFP) Downing Street said the visit will “intensify the 'golden era' in UK-China relations”, a phrase often used by Mr. David Cameron and Mr. George Osborne dating from President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the UK in 2015. PM May, accompanied by 50 representatives from businesses and trade groups, leads a government that hopes to strike new trade deals following its planned departure from the EU. “The depth of our relationship means we can have frank discussions on all issues,” the PM said, “There are huge trade opportunities in China that we want to help British businesses take advantage of”. On the visit, PM Theresa May and Chinese PM Li Keqiang signed a series of international cooperation agreements covering trade, investments, and people-to-people exchanges. British exports are up 60% since 2010 and China is expected to be one of the UK's biggest foreign investors by 2020./. … [Read more...] about British PM Theresa May visits China
State Bank institutes foreign exchange cap
>> Individuals only allowed to carry $5,000 abroadThe State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued a circular that arbitrarily caps the amount of foreign currency individuals can exchange to just USD100 in value per day they are abroad. The SBV has capped foreign exchange transactions to USD100 per day of living aboard The regulation states that Vietnamese citizens are allowed to buy foreign currency at authorised financial institutions to cover expenses for themselves and for their children who share a passport with them, including for food, transport and other demands while they live abroad for study, medical treatment, business, tourism or visits to their relatives.Foreign currency subjected to this type of transaction must be the official currency of the country where the Vietnamese citizen plans to visit. If the financial institution doesn\'t have the requested currency, another currency that is available can be … [Read more...] about State Bank institutes foreign exchange cap