Vietnam, as a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), is ready to share information about and its experience in getting involved in the pact with the UK if the latter shows an interest, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.

 Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang

She made the remark at the ministry’s regular press conference on September 17, noting that as far as she knows, the UK had held some discussions with CPTPP members over recent time.

The CPTPP is a high-quality free trade agreement with comprehensive commitments to promoting economic-trade cooperation among member countries and trade liberalization towards open and rules-based trade in the region, the official said.

She emphasized that CPTPP member countries have adopted procedures for joining the pact, and economies interested in the pact should meet its high standards and follow admission process.

Also at the regular press conference the same day, the spokesperson said that the Foreign Ministry has asked Malaysia to help the Vietnamese Embassy arrange a consular visit to a group of Vietnamese fishermen detained in the country, to get further information and take the necessary citizen protection measures.

In reply to reporters’ questions regarding the detention of the 18 Vietnamese fishermen in Malaysia, she said the incident on August 16 between Malaysia’s coast guard and two Vietnamese fishing vessels left one Vietnamese fisherman dead.

The Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a diplomatic note to the Malaysian Embassy in Vietnam expressing its deep concern over the serious incident. The ministry asked the Malaysian authorities to investigate the case, strictly punish public service staff responsible for the death of the Vietnamese fisherman, and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The ministry also suggested Malaysia soon help bring the body of the victim home, as his family wishes, and provide humanitarian treatment to the detained fishermen.

Malaysia has yet to arrange any consular visit, however, Vietnam is working to accelerate the process, the official added.