Vietnam, UK sign MoU on PPP cooperation   In the framework of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to the UK, the first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) cooperation between the two countries was inked on January 23. Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh said at the signing ceremony that he hopes PPP programmes will strongly develop in Vietnam with the support and cooperation of the UK. At a meeting after the ceremony, UK Minister of State for International Development Alan Duncan told Minister Vinh that the new chapter in the UK-Vietnam bilateral relations will focus on strengthening trade relations. He also noted Vietnam’s effective use of ODA in socio-economic development. The same day, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met with Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire. The two sides exchanged opinions on issues relating to the relations between the two countries and international and regional issues of common concerns. Swire valued Vietnam’s role in ASEAN and the country’s active participation in regional and international issues as well as in the United Nations. He expressed his wish to increase the UK’s investment to Vietnam and to help Vietnam in personnel training. Minister Minh confirmed Vietnam attaches much importance to the cooperation ties with the UK. He also appreciated the coordination between the two countries at international forums. The two sides agreed to work together to promote the two countries’ strategic partner ship, particularly in 2013 when they mark the 40 th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and to implement the agreements reached during the UK visit of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Source: VNA