Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Permanent Deputy Foreign MinisterBui Thanh Son held talks with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State DavidStilwell in Hanoi on December 18.
During the talks, Son welcomed the positive and substantivedevelopment of Vietnam – US ties over the past years, highlighting importantmilestones such as the visit by US President Donald Trump on the occasion ofhis attending the second US – DPRK Summit in Hanoi in February this year.
The Deputy FM spoke highly of the progress in bilateral economicand trade ties, with the US being Vietnam’s largest export market and Vietnam emergingas one of the fastest-growing importers of the US, with an annual growth of nearly20 percent.
He lauded the active implementation of the action plantowards a harmonious and sustainable trade balance, as well as new developmentsin bilateral collaboration in education-training, post-war recovery, nationaldefence-security, and regional and global issues of shared concern.
The Deputy FM proposed that the two countries bolster theircooperation next year when they mark the 25th anniversary ofbilateral diplomatic ties, and suggested they maintain visits, especially thoseat high level, promote economic-trade-investment ties as the driving force forbilateral ties, as well as collaboration in post-war recovery,science-technology, education-training, and national defence-security.
Stilwell, for his part, reaffirmed that the US treasurescomprehensive partnership with Vietnam and commits to supporting a strong,independence and prosperous Vietnam that plays an increasingly important rolein the region.
He wished to continue partnering with Vietnam to promote thepractical and substantive development of bilateral ties in the near future,especially on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of bilateraldiplomatic ties.
The guest agreed to prioritise economic-trade-investmentties as a focus and driving force of the bilateral comprehensive partnership, andeffectively realise signed economic-trade deals.
He pledged to help Vietnam overcome the war consequences, includingthe dioxin clean-up project at Bien Hoa airport, adding that he hoped the two sideswill soon reach a consensus on the Peace Corps programme so that it can belaunched early in Vietnam.
On regional and global issues, he affirmed the US’s policyof maintaining security, safety, maritime and aviation freedom, and unobstructedtrade in the East Sea.
The US supports the settlement of disputes in the East Seaby peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, with full respect fordiplomatic and legal process as well as full and effective implementation ofthe Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, towards the earlysigning of an effective and practical Code of Conduct in the East Sea, he said.
According to him, the US wants to step up collaborationwithin the framework of the Lower Mekong Initiative, increase coordination withVietnam at regional and global forums, especially when Vietnam serves as Chairof the ASEAN and a non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council.
During the talks, Son welcomed the positive and substantivedevelopment of Vietnam – US ties over the past years, highlighting importantmilestones such as the visit by US President Donald Trump on the occasion ofhis attending the second US – DPRK Summit in Hanoi in February this year.
The Deputy FM spoke highly of the progress in bilateral economicand trade ties, with the US being Vietnam’s largest export market and Vietnam emergingas one of the fastest-growing importers of the US, with an annual growth of nearly20 percent.
He lauded the active implementation of the action plantowards a harmonious and sustainable trade balance, as well as new developmentsin bilateral collaboration in education-training, post-war recovery, nationaldefence-security, and regional and global issues of shared concern.
The Deputy FM proposed that the two countries bolster theircooperation next year when they mark the 25th anniversary ofbilateral diplomatic ties, and suggested they maintain visits, especially thoseat high level, promote economic-trade-investment ties as the driving force forbilateral ties, as well as collaboration in post-war recovery,science-technology, education-training, and national defence-security.
Stilwell, for his part, reaffirmed that the US treasurescomprehensive partnership with Vietnam and commits to supporting a strong,independence and prosperous Vietnam that plays an increasingly important rolein the region.
He wished to continue partnering with Vietnam to promote thepractical and substantive development of bilateral ties in the near future,especially on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of bilateraldiplomatic ties.
The guest agreed to prioritise economic-trade-investmentties as a focus and driving force of the bilateral comprehensive partnership, andeffectively realise signed economic-trade deals.
He pledged to help Vietnam overcome the war consequences, includingthe dioxin clean-up project at Bien Hoa airport, adding that he hoped the two sideswill soon reach a consensus on the Peace Corps programme so that it can belaunched early in Vietnam.
On regional and global issues, he affirmed the US’s policyof maintaining security, safety, maritime and aviation freedom, and unobstructedtrade in the East Sea.
The US supports the settlement of disputes in the East Seaby peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, with full respect fordiplomatic and legal process as well as full and effective implementation ofthe Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, towards the earlysigning of an effective and practical Code of Conduct in the East Sea, he said.
According to him, the US wants to step up collaborationwithin the framework of the Lower Mekong Initiative, increase coordination withVietnam at regional and global forums, especially when Vietnam serves as Chairof the ASEAN and a non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council.
At the logo announcement ceremony (Photo: VNA) Following the talks, host and guest attended a ceremony toannounce the logo of the 25th anniversary of Vietnam – US diplomaticties, the first in a series of events celebrating the occasion.
At the event, the US embassy in Vietnam screened a videoclip featuring US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s message congratulating theanniversary.
In the evening the same day, Stilwell left Hanoi, concludinghis two-day visit to Vietnam./.
VNA
