The framework of “comprehensive partnership” between Vietnam and the United States should be regarded as a solid runway for the Vietnam-US relationship to take off and fly into the next decades of the 21st century, and developed as a relationship of substance, efficiency and strategic importance.
The suggestion was made by Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc at a bilateral conference on Vietnam-US relationships themed For 20 more successful years, held on January 26 in Hanoi.
He said closer economic links should be regarded as both the goals and dynamics of the bilateral relationship which was now mature enough to advance far beyond the bilateral realm into regional and global areas, thus forming a tripod platform for the relationship to forge ahead.
Vietnam was expected to play a more proactive role on the global stage in the next 20 years, with the hope to share greater responsibility with the regional and global community in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity, respecting international law and regional agreements, resolving disputes through peaceful means and refraining from the use of force, Ngoc said.
He suggested the two countries support the centrality of ASEAN in constructing the regional architecture and assisting ASEAN in strengthening ASEAN-led multilateral institutions, especially the East Asia Summit.
US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius noted that the conference was the start of a series of activities throughout 2015 to mark the 20th anniversary of US-Vietnam diplomatic relations.
He expressed his hope that US business and investment activities in Vietnam would expand further, adding the US Government was interested in establishing US universities up to international standards in Vietnam.-
