High expectations ahead of PM Chinh’s first working trip to the US

The special summit is expected to promote the ASEAN – US partnership and at the same time create a new momentum for the Vietnam - US relations to develop in a deeper and more substantive manner, said Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh in an interview recently granted to dantri.com.vn.

Ambassador Vinh, who worked as Vietnamese Ambassador to the US from 2014 to 2018, said the relations between ASEAN and the US are enjoying positive growth, and 2022 marks 45 year since the start of their partnership. The US will continue to co-operate alongside the bloc, strongly supports its central role and is actively discussing future co-operation projects for the sake of peace, stability, and development in the region.

The two sides place great importance on the meeting amidst continued regional and global complications, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the disruption to international supply chains, maritime security, climate change adaptation, and the current situation in Myanmar or Ukraine. They are therefore expected to adopt a statement aimed at further strengthening their strategic partnership moving forward.

The Vietnamese diplomat believes that taking part in the summit’s working agenda represents an opportunity for Vietnam to further promote the implementation of its development orientations and foreign policy set out by the 13th National Party Congress in 2021. This also affirms that Vietnam is a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community, a supporter of international law and multilateralism, as well as co-operation and trade liberalisation.

Furthermore, the Ambassador noted that the relations between Vietnam and the US have been developing effectively in all fields since the two countries first established diplomatic ties 27 years ago. The two countries have now become comprehensive partners from former foes, creating a stable, long-term and growing co-operation framework for mutual benefit and for peace and co-operation both in the region and in the rest of the world.

The pair have agreed to break with the past and build on trust in order to address any differences which may arise. They have so far established effective dialogue channels to discuss a number of issues in trade, investment, energy, labour, and human rights.

With the US side gaining a great appreciation for Vietnam’s position and sticking to the principle of respecting other nation’s political institutions and its growing prestige internationally, the US supports a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam.

Economic co-operation is also viewed a bright spot in the overall picture of bilateral relations. Two-way trade has witnessed a 220-fold increase over the past two decades, skyrocketing from just US$450 million in 1995 to more than US$111 billion in 2021. As such, trade has secured an annual growth rate of between 17% and 19% over the past decade alone.

There remains plenty of room for the two countries to boost all-round co-operation, especially in economics, trade, and investment, especially as the two economies are highly complementary, according to the diplomat.

Currently, Vietnam is prioritising green transformation and digital transformation, as well as taking advantage of technology, investment sources, and high-quality supply chains for national development. The ASEAN - US summit will represent a good opportunity for the country to further ramp up ties with the US and ASEAN in various fields, both bilaterally and multilaterally, he said,

The next three years will mark several important milestones in mutual relations. The two countries will be celebrating 10 years of their comprehensive partnership in 2023, 30 years of the normalisation of economic ties in 2024, and 30 years of normalization of diplomatic ties in 2025. They are now devising a roadmap to elevate bilateral relations to new heights.