2010 also presented an important landmark in 15 year- normalisation of bilateral relations which have served the interests of both nations.

A Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV) correspondent in the US has interviewed Vietnamese Ambassador Le Cong Phung about the two countries’ achievements in 2010 and prospects for their future cooperation.

It is time to elevate Vietnam-US relations to a higher level

Reporter: What is your assessment of the Vietnam-US relations in 2010 and the prospect of the relation, particularly when the US again showed its interest in Asia over the past year?

Mr.Phung: 2010 was a special year for Vietnam and the US as it marked 15 years of normalisation of their relations. Even though there were no high-level official visits, senior leaders from both countries held many meetings during the whole year to work out plans for future cooperation and consolidate mutual trust.

The US Secretary of State visited Vietnam twice, once to attend a regional forum and once on her official visit to the country. Defence ministers conducted exchange visits for the first time. Vietnamese Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh visited the US early this year while his US counterpart Robert Gates visited Vietnam in October to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus.

All these activities demonstrated both countries’ determination to promote bilateral ties for their real benefits, stability and peace in the region and the world. We think that with such significant developments, the Vietnam-US relations will grow and flourish in the near future.

Reporter: Becoming a negotiating partner of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP) Agreement will facilitate Vietnam’s economic development. How will Vietnamese businesses and US investors benefit?

Mr. Phung: Joining the TPP Agreement is our strategy to promote international integration and boost economic development. Vietnam is the third biggest market in terms of population among nine negotiating nations, therefore, the country is seen as a major and lucrative market for US groups and companies doing business in Vietnam and for those who plan to run businesses in Vietnam.

Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Peru can be seen as major markets but their populations are not as large as Vietnam’s. Consequently, through surveys and exchanges, US investors and exporters are actively preparing for their business in Vietnam if the TPP Agreement is reached.

Reporter: What should be done to further strengthen the Vietnam-US relation in the near future?

Mr. Phung: There is still much that needs to be done because Vietnam and the US have similarities in interests, including long-term, mid-term, and short-term strategies for all fields. As a result, the two countries are accelerating the establishment of a strategic partnership.  15 years after normalising bilateral relations, now is the time for both sides to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership. I hope that this target will be achieved.

Reporter: Vietnam and the US celebrated 15 years of diplomatic ties which was a highlight to review the development process and set directions for the next period. What specific areas will be in focus in the future?

Mr. Phung: After 15 years of normalisation of bilateral relations, the two countries have obtained good results in different areas. Relations between Vietnam and the US during the past 15 years and in the future have been and will be focused on economics, trade and investment. Apart from this, both sides will continue to enhance their cooperation in other areas such as national security and defense, science and technology and education. However, Vietnam wants to set up a strategic partnership with the US based on the major pillars of economic, trade, investment and education ties.

Impossible to impose ideas of democracy, human rights and religion

Reporter: What can we do to narrow the gap between the US and Vietnam in their views on obligations, rights and responsibility towards victims of Agent Orange (AO)?

Mr. Phung: AO issue is the consequence of the war. I suppose that at the back of their mind, Americans still feel that they must take responsibility for the issue in terms of conscience, humanity and politics but they have not yet accepted this responsibility.

However, over the past years, the US have paid greater attention and show more support for Vietnam’s AO victims and helped the country to deal with AO-related issues. Moreover, the US should make more efforts to show its clear responsibility for this issue.

There remain differences between the US and Vietnam in democracy, human rights and religion. How will the matters resolved?

Mr. Phung: We are carrying out dialogues with the US on these issues in the hope that satisfactory results will be obtained. We need to help the US better understand that both sides have different views on democracy, human rights, and religion. Therefore, it is impossible to impose ideas of democracy, human rights and religion of one side on another.

During the exchanges and negotiations, we should get the US to gain a better understanding of Vietnam’s democracy, human rights and religion in which the Vietnamese Government will do its best to promote and protect human rights and people’s rights to freedom of belief and religion.

If such issues are well dealt with, relations between the two countries will grow stronger in the future.

Reporter: Thank you very much.