Vietnam-US co-operation full of mutual complementarity and support

VOV.VN - Co-operation between Vietnam and the United States is full of mutual support and complementing each side’s strengths, without the need for competition or any conflicts of interest, according to Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan.

Ambassador Xuan, who has worked in the US for many years in the role of Vietnamese Ambassador to the UN, talked to VOV on the eve of US Vice President Kamala Harris’s visit to the country from August 24 to August 26, giving an insight into the outlook for future of mutual ties.

VOV: What do you think of VP Harris selecting Vietnam as a destination in her foreign trip to Southeast Asia, alongside Singapore?

Amb. Xuan: In my opinion, the US Vice President raises very important points through her trip. First of all, the relationship between Vietnam and the US is special, as former Secretary of State John Kerry said, as the two former foes have now become partners and friends.

Currently, Vietnam holds a very important position and role, both regionally and globally. The Biden administration is also placing the highest priority on the Indo-Pacific region, with both Vietnam and Singapore considered two key partners in maintaining a rules-based order in the region.

Both President Biden and VP Harris will prioritise rebuilding relationships with global partners, including those in Southeast Asia, by sending high-level delegations to the region. VP Harris is the highest ranking official of the new US administration to visit Vietnam. This is her first foreign trip to Southeast Asia, marking a new stage in the US engagement in the region.

VOV: What do you think are the opportunities that both countries will anticipate from this visit?

Amb. Xuan: I think, this visit can open up a wealth of opportunities for both sides. As far as I know, topics such as global health, economic co-operation, and security will be high on the agenda.

VP Harris’s trip will provide an opportunity for the two sides to consolidate their well-developed comprehensive partnership across all fields, including security and defence. It is expected to bolster bilateral economic and trade relations. After 25 years of normalising relations, bilateral trade has recorded impressive growth , from just US$450 million in 1995 to nearly US$76 billion in 2019.

The visit will also provide an opportunity for Vietnam to attract greater investment, and for the US to expand its investment in high technology, the digital economy, and smart city development, renewable energy, sustainable development, education, and training.

COVID-19 co-operation is also one of the key issues to be addressed during VP Harris’s trip. To date, the US has donated up to five million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam, and it has pledged to deliver more.

Both sides will spend time discussing measures to boost the post-COVID-19 economic recovery, deal with climate change, and handle cyber security.

VOV: What has Vietnam done to strengthen bilateral co-operation in various areas as you mentioned?

Amb. Xuan: Currently, Vietnam has become a responsible member, a reliable partner both regionally and globally, and a rapidly-developing market that has nearly 100 million consumers with a young workforce. Given its firm position in the region, it can be said that the country is one of the most dynamic developing economies in the world.

With regard to its institutions and the environment for economic, trade, and investment co-operation, they have all been improved in terms of quality. The US also believes that Vietnam’s technical infrastructure can now be eligible for co-operation in developing high technology, digitalisation, and cybersecurity.

Politically, Vietnam’s foreign policy focuses on peace, along with deep and wide integration into the region and the world. Vietnam itself is a peaceful and stable country with high international commitments, especially for economics, trade, and investment partners.

VOV: What do you envision about the relationship between the two countries in the near future?

Amb. Xuan: Currently, the two countries are implementing co-operation programmes based on their comprehensive partnership. This is therefore a win-win situation for co-operation.

Having worked in the US for quite a long time, I know that the US has always paid close attention to the issue of interest. It is therefore willing to strengthen co-operation with any country if it sees interests in it, with its ongoing relationship with Vietnam being no exception. Such co-operation is mutually complementary and supportive, without competition or conflict of interests.

In this co-operation, the two sides share common interests and responsibilities, contributing to maintaining and protecting peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation in the East Sea. This is being done while strengthening their determination to resolve global issues such as epidemics, climate change, and environmental protection.

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