Vietnam, US seek ways to enhance bilateral partnership
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington DC on March 31 to discuss measures to strengthen the two countries’ ties.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) and US Secretary of State John Kerry (Source: VNA)
Washington DC (VNA)﷽ – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington DC on March 31 to discuss measures to strengthen the two countries’ comprehensive partnership and prepare for President Barack Obama’s visit to Vietnam.
Minh affirmed that Vietnam attaches significance to its all-round cooperation with the US, and appreciated both countries’ efforts to realise the agreements reached by their leaders, thus helping bring about practical benefits to their people as well as to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The Vietnamese leaders and people welcome the upcoming visit to Vietnam by President Obama, he stated, suggesting the two countries prepare well and intensify exchanges so as to reach specific agreements during this visit.
Kerry said he hopes the two countries will step up collaboration to deepen the bilateral comprehensive partnership in strategic areas, including economy, trade, investment, education, climate change response, and science and technology.
He showed his wish for the early establishment of mechanisms to intensify people-to-people exchanges, including an agreement related to the Peace Corps’ teaching of the English language in Vietnam.
The US will continue efforts to support Vietnam in addressing war consequences, particularly detoxifying dioxin-contaminated areas, and in improving the capacity of law enforcement and marine police forces.
He shared the negative impacts of climate change that Vietnam and other countries in the region are suffering, confirming that the US will carry out more specific measures to help Vietnam deal with drought and saltwater intrusion.
Referring to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), he said the Obama Administration appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in how they worked with other countries to conclude negotiations on the deal, affirming that the US is now canvassing the Parliament to approve the agreement in 2016.
The US will continue efforts to accelerate recognition of Vietnam as a market economy, and provide technical assistance for the nation during its implementation of the TPP, Kerry added.
At the talks, the two sides also exchanged opinions on the regional and international situations, including the East Sea issue.
The US affirmed that it backs efforts to ensure maritime security and safety, and that disputes should be handled through legal processes and by peaceful means on the basis of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
Earlier on March 30, Deputy PM Minh received leaders from the Boeing company and the Asian Coast Development Ltd. (ACDL), during which he pledged to continue facilitating operations of foreign enterprises in Vietnam.
He asked Boeing to provide continued technical assistance to help Vietnam gain a Category 1 rating in aviation safety as soon as possible, as it will allow the country to establish a direct air route to the US.
Deputy PM Minh is in the US to attend the fourth Nuclear Security Summit.-VNA
The US has become Vietnam’s leading trade and investment partner, which has been reflected through impressive trade values between the two countries over recent years.
Corporations of Vietnam and the United States on February 15 (US time) inked several deals in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on the sidelines of the ongoing special ASEAN-US Summit.
US President Barack Obama has informed that he will pay an official visit to Vietnam this May to learn more about the country, its people and culture as well as discuss measures to boost partnership.
An event to promote links in innovation and creativeness between Vietnam and the US was jointly held by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the US Embassy in Vietnam, in Hanoi on March 7.
The Vietnam-US Society and the Veterans for Peace – US chapter organised a seminar in Hanoi on March 15, with the focus on Vietnam-US relations and the role of veterans in the reconciliation process.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) and US Secretary of State John Kerry (Source: VNA)
