Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who accompanied Deputy PM Ninh to the US, granted an interview to the Washington-based VOV correspondent, shedding light on the outcome of the visit.
VOV: Could you further elaborate on the result of the Deputy PM’s visit to the US?
Son: We have achieved positive results through the visit. First of all, we delivered a clear message to US political and business circles that Vietnam is carrying out the Doi Moi (Renewal) process in all areas. The country is actively speeding up international integration by embarking on the policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of foreign relations to strengthen relations with partners, including the US. The US political and business circles welcomed this policy.
Second, Vietnam is restructuring its economy and renovating its growth model in 2012 and beyond – a move that US businesses viewed as a great chance for both sides to take advantage of to increase cooperation.
Third, in the context of global economic slowdown, the US needs to cooperate with Vietnam to remove trade restrictions against Vietnamese products exported to the US, including tra and basa fish, steel pipes and wind turbine towers.
Given these facts, I think Vietnam and the US have potential for stronger cooperation and it will be fully tapped in the future.
VOV: During the visit, the Vietnamese delegation met with leaders of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). How did these financial institutions evaluate current economic policies in place in Vietnam?
Son: Vietnam highlighted three priority areas to be addressed in 2012 and the following years. First, it will continue to rein in inflation, stabilise the macroeconomy and maintain social welfare and stability. Second, it will restructure its economy and renovate the growth model. Last but not least, it will implement the 10-year development strategy until 2020, focusing on finalising the market institutions, developing infrastructure and increasing the quality of human resources for national industrialisation and modernisation.
The WB and IMF welcomed Vietnam’s steps and said that, if the country goes ahead with them, it is likely to bring inflation down to a single digit figure and maintain a reasonable economic growth rate. They agreed to support Vietnam in achieving these goals.
They also proposed that Vietnam speed up WB-funded projects. They will send executives and specialists to Vietnam to provide consultancy to relevant ministries and agencies.
VOV: Vietnam and the US are planning to upgrade their relations. How was this issue mentioned during the visit?
Son: Bilateral relations have developed in various areas since diplomatic ties were established in 1995. From humanitarian cooperation at the beginning, cooperation has expanded to other areas, such as economics, trade, investment, science-technology, education-training, and even security and national defence. Fruitful cooperation will lay a firm foundation for lifting bilateral relations to a new height.
During the visit, both sides frankly exchanged views on various areas, including pending issues, to deal with and promote mutual understanding. Given goodwill and keen interest from the US administration and business community, I think we have favourable conditions for upgrading bilateral relations in the near future. Deputy PM Ninh assigned relevant Vietnamese agencies to work on this issue with their US counterparts.
VOV: Thank you.
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