Vietnam eyes enhanced relations with US: ambassador

During talks on future relations between Vietnam and Asia with the US at the National Benefits Centre in Washington on November 16, Vinh highlighted great prospects for the two countries to promote cooperation and Vietnam’s development priorities.

He recalled important milestones in Vietnam-US relations, saying that the two countries have a solid foundation to step up ties.

The two nations established diplomatic ties in 1995, and relations have flourished across various fields far beyond expectations. The bilateral relationship was upgraded to a comprehensive partnership in 2013.
The ambassador also mentioned Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to the US in 2015 and US President Barack Obama’s Vietnam visit in last May, which created impetus to expand cooperation between the two sides in all fields.

The two countries have coordinated at international and regional forums such as the UN, the World Trade Organisation, the Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and ASEAN.

Vinh said two-way trade has surged 100 times compared to that of 1995, hitting US$50 billion per year. The figure is forecast to continue increasing.

During his speech, the ambassador shared information related to Vietnam’s renovation and integration policies, which focus on facilitating the operation of private and foreign investors, including these from the US in Vietnam.

He called on the US side to remove trade barriers and recognise Vietnam’s economy as a market-based one to help Vietnamese goods enter the American market easily.

He also stressed the need for the two countries to tap cooperation potential in education-training, tourism, and science-technology.

More than 20,000 Vietnamese have studied in universities in the US. The US is working to open Fulbright University in Vietnam, which is expected to further enhance bilateral education links.

They can also coordinate with ASEAN nations and other regional countries in protecting the environment, adapting to climate change and ensuring maritime security, peace, and stability in the East Sea, Vinh noted .

While underlining the importance of the APEC Year in Vietnam in 2017, the diplomat said Vietnam wishes to work with the US and other APEC member countries to successfully hold the event.

During the talks, Vinh also replied to questions related to regional cooperation, navigation security and safety in the East Sea, cooperation mechanisms in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, and other regional and global issues of concern.

He also said that the US’s new government should maintain its commitments to Asia – the world’s leading dynamic economic area, which plays an increasingly vital role in the region and the globe.