The decision to improve Vietnam-US relations was announced in the communiqué of the Party Central Commission for Foreign Relations, following a meeting between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden , arrived in Hanoi on Sunday afternoon for a two-day state visit. .
“For the sake of the people of the two countries and in the spirit of strengthening cooperation for the goals of peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the new context, Vietnam welcomes the establishment of relations between the two countries at a new level “, a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development,” Trong said in the statement.
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U.S. President Joe Biden and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong meet at the headquarters of the Communist Party of Vietnam in Hanoi on September 10, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy |
The Vietnamese leader stressed that Vietnam’s coherent foreign policy focuses on independence, autonomy, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization of external relations; be proactive and active in global international integration.
He said Vietnam adheres to the “four no” defense policy, which means not participating in military alliances, not siding with one country to act against another, not using bases foreign military forces on Vietnamese territory or use Vietnam as leverage to thwart other countries. no use of force or threat of use of force in international relations.
Regarding complex situations and international conflicts, Vietnam hopes that the parties will dialogue and resolve them peacefully while respecting the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, he said.
“I hope that through this important and meaningful visit, Mr. President, his delegates and all of you will have the opportunity to see an innovative, dynamic Vietnam, with a long civilization and a long history, and to feel the conviviality , welcome and love for the peace of the Vietnamese people,” he told reporters after the meeting with Biden.
He said Vietnam appreciates the US support for Vietnam and ASEAN’s position on issues related to the East Sea (South China Sea), asking the US to continue its support and contribute actively promote peace, security, cooperation, guarantee freedom of navigation and overflight and the legitimate interests of the East Sea countries, opposing the use of force or the threat thereof, avoiding actions contrary to international law and resolving disputes by peaceful means.
Trong said at the meeting that Vietnam cooperated with the United States to fight fascism during World War II. President Ho Chi Minh cited part of the United States Declaration of Independence when opening the Vietnam Declaration of Independence, sending a letter to the American government requesting to establish full relations with the United States. United. However, relations between the two countries subsequently experienced ups and downs. periods of crisis, particularly the longest and harshest war of the 20th century after World War II. He said that since the normalization of relations between the two countries in 1995, especially after the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership in 2013, relations have developed strong, deep, substantive and effective.
The Vietnamese leader said these past steps provide important foundations for countries to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.
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Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong speaks to the press in Hanoi after his dialogue with U.S. President Joe Biden, September 10, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy |
Appreciating Biden’s visit to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, Trong recalled fond memories of his exchange with then-US Vice President Biden during his visit to the United States in July 2015. He appreciated the recent dialogues. exchanged between the two leaders.
During their meeting on Sunday, Trong and Biden agreed that the most important factors for the development of relations between Vietnam and the United States are full respect for the basic principles that guide relations between the two countries, including respect of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the political interests of each. institutions, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We stressed that mutual understanding, understanding each other’s circumstances, respecting each other’s legitimate interests and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs are fundamental and always important principles in the international relations and affairs of the two countries. country,” Trong said.
He said Vietnam greatly appreciates the United States’ assertion that it supports Vietnam to be “strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous.”
He highlighted a number of major directions to promote Vietnam-U.S. relations, including strengthening mutual understanding, implementing the guiding principles, creating long-term stability, holding meetings high-level and cooperation between sectors and levels and between people. Exchanges.
“The scope of the new partnership inherits the existing cooperation between the two countries and takes it to a new height, with the promotion of economic, trade and investment cooperation in the direction of innovation being the foundation, objective and relationship motivation,” Trong said, adding that strengthening science and technology cooperation is a major breakthrough in the new partnership.
Biden expressed joy at visiting Vietnam and stressed that his visit has historic significance not only for relations between the two countries, but also for the Indo-Pacific region and the world, affirming the view of the United States on supporting an open, stable and secure country. , a connected and prosperous region.
“Today we can trace 50 years of progress in relations between our nations, from conflict to normalization, to this new elevated status that will be a force for prosperity and security in one of the most important regions of the world,” he said.
The US leader highlighted the importance of Vietnam’s role and position in the region, appreciating its active role in many regional and global issues, including responding to climate change. The President affirmed his support for the central role of ASEAN and his willingness to cooperate with Vietnam to contribute to ASEAN solidarity and prosperity.
He said the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is essential for both Vietnam and the United States, demonstrating the strength of bilateral relations at a time when countries face challenges that can have great impacts on regional and global relations.
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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the press in Hanoi after his dialogue with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, September 10, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy |
Biden stressed that the South China Sea occupies an important place in international prosperity and stability. He also expressed the United States’ appreciation for the objectives of the Indo-Pacific Economic Cooperation Framework.
He expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s development achievements, contributions to international work and the leadership role of General Secretary Trong. He expressed support for Vietnam’s development, especially economic, scientific and technological cooperation in the new period, the development of the electronics industry and the response to climate change, as well as the development of clean energy.
Mentioning a Vietnamese company that signed a $4 billion deal last year to build an electric vehicle and battery factory in North Carolina and create 7,000 jobs, the president said other, larger trade deals would be signed during his visit.
He said he was also proud of how the two countries built mutual trust and understanding in dealing with war legacies, which showed how much the two countries can achieve by leaving behind the painful past and looking to the future of progress, based on mutual agreement and solidarity.
Biden became the fifth US president to visit Vietnam since the two countries normalized relations.
Economic cooperation is at the center of relations between the two countries.
Bilateral trade turnover reached over $123.86 billion in 2022, an increase of 11 percent from 2021. The United States is Vietnam’s largest export market and its second-largest partner commercial. Vietnam is the seventh largest trading partner of the United States
U.S. foreign direct investment in Vietnam reached more than $11 billion, representing more than 1,200 projects, ranking it 11th among all countries and territories directly investing in Vietnam.
Countries have also strengthened their collaboration to address legacies of war.
The United States provided financial and technical contributions to complete dioxin cleanup at Da Nang Airport and is working on mine clearance at Bien Hoa Airport. Vietnam and the United States also worked to repatriate the remains of 733 American soldiers missing in Vietnam during the war.
