Vietnam supportive of relations between US and ASEAN partners
VOV.VN - The nation is an active contributor to co-operation frameworks and mechanisms between ASEAN and the US, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung said in a recent interview given to a Washington-based VOV correspondent regarding Vietnamese contributions to promoting joint ties.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other ASEAN leaders are scheduled to attend a special ASEAN-US summit marking the 45th anniversary of relations between the two sides in Washington D.C. from May 12 to May 13.
Along with celebrating the 45th anniversary of mutual relations, ASEAN leaders and President Joe Biden will discuss a range of measures which seek to step up co-operation across multiple of fields, such as COVID-19 response, global health security, climate change, maritime co-operation, and education.
According to details given by the Ambassador, this conference indicates the US's importance to the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the role of the bloc as part of the US strategy for the region.
The latest meeting will provide a prime opportunity for leaders to present, introduce, as well as consult each other on the development direction moving forward. Such exchanges between leaders are very important and their results will certainly contribute to shaping the relationship between both sides in the future, as well as each side's policies towards the region and each other, Ambassador Dung went on to say.
Regarding Vietnamese contribution and role as part of US-ASEAN relations over recent times, the Vietnamese diplomat said the country has always supported the development of greater relations with ASEAN partners, including the US as the superpower represents a very important partner for the regional bloc.
“The country has always made a very active contribution to ASEAN, towards the external relations of ASEAN, including the US. Vietnam also supports ASEAN's upgrading of its relations with the US in 2015 and in the coming time, when the relationship is further enhanced, Vietnam will certainly support that. Within many cooperation frameworks and mechanisms between ASEAN and the US, Vietnam is also a very active member contributing to the process. We have always encouraged the active participation of the US in the region, as well as the US involvement that brings stability, peace, and respect for international law in the region. In the coming time, I think Vietnam will go ahead with this trend,” Ambassador Dung stated.
According to Ambassador Dung, priorities during the working visit of the Vietnamese delegation to boost bilateral activities with the US, apart from attending the ASEAN-US Summit, will see PM Chinh run a host of bilateral activities with the US Government and US Congress involving American businesses and scholars. The Vietnamese PM will also meet with Vietnamese community representatives in the US and senior officials of the UN.
“It can be said that this visit is both multilateral and bilateral goals. The Vietnamese Government chief is also scheduled visit a number of high-tech US facilities. This important visit will have many effects for Vietnam's relations with ASEAN, ASEAN relations with the US as well as bilateral relations between Vietnam and the US," he added.