Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper reviewed and noted with pleasure the positive development of comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the United States during their their meeting on Wednesday March 23 in Hanoi.
The leaders of the two countries have maintained visits and meetings, they said, adding that the two sides have also strengthened their cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, prevention and control of Covid-19, responding to climate change and dealing with the consequences of war.
The head of the Vietnamese diplomacy expressed the hope that the American ambassador will make more contributions to the comprehensive partnership in an effective and practical manner, and will work with the Vietnamese side to push the visits of the high-ranking leaders of the two countries this year, as well as the exchange of delegations and meetings at all levels and channels, including the Party, the National Assembly and people’s diplomacy.
He also requested the diplomat’s close coordination with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to strengthen collaboration in important and priority areas such as post-epidemic economic recovery and growth, improving supply chain resilience, construction of high quality infrastructure, green and sustainable development, and training of human resources.
In response, Ambassador Marc Knapper expressed his impression of Vietnam’s vigorous development in recent years and spoke highly of the significant results of the comprehensive partnership.
The United States supports an independent, strong and prosperous Vietnam, he said, stressing that the United States hopes to elevate its relationship with the Southeast Asian nation to a new level.
The diplomat pledged to coordinate closely with Vietnamese ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to promote the exchange of high-level visits in 2022 and strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all areas, from trade to defence-security and healthcare, including the response to climate change and the energy transition.
Regarding the Ukraine issue, Bui Thanh Son reiterated Vietnam’s consistent position that international disputes and disputes should be settled through peaceful measures in accordance with the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, especially those on respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
The Vietnamese foreign minister stressed the need to ensure the safety of civilians, including Vietnamese in Ukraine, to evacuate from combat zones.
On regional issues, the two men stressed the importance of respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and agreed to continue close coordination within the frameworks of regional cooperation, in particular the mechanisms of ASEAN and the Mekong sub-region. – VNA
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