Prime Minister’s visit to US reaps fruits
The recent US visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has reaped significant outcomes in key pillars of the Viet Nam-US comprehensive partnership, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc has said in an interview.
The two sides issued a joint statement enhancing the bilateral comprehensive partnership in a practical, effective, and sustainable manner for mutual benefits as well as peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and beyond, on the basis of respecting the United Nations Charter and international law, respective political institutions, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
PM Phuc delivered a speech at the Global Heritage Fund, reiterating Viet Nam and the US share common interests in the maintenance of peace, stability, security, cooperation, and prosperity in Asia-Pacific.
The two countries agreed to put high premium on economic-trade-investment cooperation toward efficiency and mutual benefits, and continue regarding these fields as key momentum in their overall relations. They pledged to create the optimal conditions for enterprises to do business.
Notably, many big economic deals worth over 10 billion USD were struck at the two business workshops in Washington DC and New York.
Both nations also concurred to boost collaboration in education-training, healthcare, scientific research, technology, outer space, and renovation.
About defense and security, Viet Nam and the US agreed to continuously carry out exchange activities under the signed Memorandum of Understanding for Advancing Bilateral Defense Cooperation 2011 and the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations 2015.
While exchanging regional and international issues of mutual concerns, the two sides were unanimous to increase efforts to address such challenges as security and safety of navigation and overflight, environmental protection, health security, human trafficking and illegal trade of wild animals, non-proliferation of mass destruction weapons, and UN peacekeeping activities.
Pertaining to the East Sea matter, the two countries’ leaders stressed the need to settle disputes via peaceful means and diplomatic and legal procedures, on the ground of respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and toward reaching the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said the Prime Minister was the first leader in Southeast Asia to visit the US and hold talks with President Donald Trump.
This is the outcome of the 12th National Party Congress’ policy of deepening Viet Nam’s cooperative relations with foreign countries, Ngoc said.
He added that Viet Nam has proactively and actively built relations with the new US administration and parliament, making US authorities and politicians understand the importance of cooperation with Viet Nam and maintenance of regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
The visit has helped promote the win-win cooperation and build mutual trust.
The two sides have also maintained and expanded cooperation mechanisms and dialogues to address differences and arising problems, Ngoc said.
During his trip to the US, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the 40th anniversary of Viet Nam’s engagement in the organization.
This meaningful event is expected to open a new development stride in the Viet Nam-UN relations, Ngoc said.
He added that Viet Nam and the UN have numerous opportunities to boost cooperation. Viet Nam pledged to spare no efforts to make more remarkable contributions to the UN, especially in post-war reconstruction, poverty reduction, and assistance for vulnerable groups.
Simultaneously, Viet Nam hopes the UN will support the country to implement global agreements such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the Paris Agreement on climate change. -VNA
