US reaffirms support for a strong, independent, prosperous Vietnam

Chinh thanked the US Government and people for providing Vietnam with nearly 40 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines through bilateral channels as well as the COVAX mechanism at a time when Vietnam was facing the most difficulties.

Talking about the Vietnam – US relations, the PM noted that through many ups and downs, bilateral relations have made long and positive strides so far, in which the historic visit to the US seven years ago by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong laid a solid foundation for strengthening the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

PM Chinh affirmed that the US is one of Vietnam’s most important partners, and at the same time highly appreciated the US policy of supporting a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam.

He welcomed the positive results in bilateral relations in recent times reflected through the exchange of delegations at all levels. Notably he said bilateral trade turnover has grown rapidly and steadily, reaching nearly US$112 billion in 2021 alone despite difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two sides have strengthened cooperation in areas where the US has strengths and Vietnam has potential and needs such as education - training, science - technology, innovation, and start-up.

The PM suggested the US continue to promote cooperation and support Vietnam in specific areas such as overcoming war consequences, coordinating in responding to epidemics and climate change, preventing subsidence in the Mekong Delta, and ensuring a sustainable and resilient supply chain.

For his part, Blinken shared Chinh’s view about the positive development of the US-Vietnam relations, and reaffirmed the US support for a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam.

He stressed that the US considers overcoming the consequences of the past war one of the high priorities in its relations with Vietnam and it will continue to work closely with its partner in this regard.

He also congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control, and wished that Vietnam would continue to actively participate in international efforts to control the disease.

The US Secretary of State again welcomed Vietnam’s climate change commitments at the 26th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP26) in Scotland late last year, affirming that the US will support Vietnam in implementing these commitments.

Both host and guest exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Chinh welcomed the US initiative to host the ASEAN-US special summit in Washington DC, contributing to strengthening the comprehensive and responsible cooperation between the US and ASEAN in particular and the Asia-Pacific region in general.

Blinken stated the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework initiative is one of the US’ efforts to promote economic cooperation that benefits all countries, affirming this is an open and flexible mechanism that needs to be further enriched.

The two sides emphasized the importance of ensuring peace, freedom, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the South China Sea, known as the East Sea in Vietnam, as well as settling disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the rest of the world.