Large room for VN-US cooperation despite slow TPP enforcement

Hanoi (VNA) – There’s plenty of room for cooperation between Vietnam and the US despite slow enforcement of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh said in an interview granted to Lao dong (Labour) Newspaper.

The ambassador, who is in Hanoi for the ongoing 29th Diplomatic Conference, said the US will obviously have benefits from TPP, but the issue is, however, a controversial topic at the underway US presidential race.

In the meantime, Vietnam and the US are embarking on their comprehensive partnership.

TPP offers both challenges and opportunities for Vietnam, he said, stressing the need for the country to prepare in line with its integration policy to create an attractive market even when the pact has yet come into force.

“I believe that new investment waves will come into Vietnam,” he said.

On the defence ties, he said the two countries will forge ahead with the cooperation in keeping peace, addressing war consequences – including bombs and mines clearance, decontamination, and support for Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims.

Bilateral collaboration in building maritime security capacity will continue, focusing on professional training, he said.

He added that Vietnam-US relations have seen new developments over the past 21 years, marked by the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2013.

On how the two sides’ ties will change when the US has a new president, he supposed that the two would maintain and solidify their ties within the established comprehensive partnership, suggesting making the best use of fields of mutual strengths.

Politically, both nations should enhance all-level delegation exchanges, especially among high-ranking officials, as well as increase mutual trust and promote equal and win-win cooperation, basing on the respect for the political institution of the respective countries, he stressed.

In the economic front, Vietnam and the US hold enormous potential and opportunities. The US is the 7 th biggest investor in Vietnam with around 11 billion USD.

On the new US president’s security strategy policy, the diplomat said he believes the US will press ahead with the bond with Asia-Pacific and continuously attach importance to peace and cooperation with ASEAN partners, including Vietnam.-VNA