Daniel Russel, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (Source: stasiareport.com) Daniel Russel, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, has described 2015 as a special year for the US-Vietnam relations as it marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.
The diplomat made the remark at a September 17 ceremony celebrating Vietnam’s 70th National Day hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in the US.
He applauded achievements Vietnam has made over the past 20 years, saying that the two nations have overcome differences, built a close and trustful relationship and cooperation in many fields from economy, trade and education to health care and environmental protection.
He also expressed belief that with its huge potential, Vietnam will reap even greater fruits and the US-Vietnam comprehensive partnership will thrive in the coming time.
Echoing Daniel Russel’s views, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh said that 2015 is an important milestone that brings bilateral ties to a new level of development.
Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong’s recent historical visit to the US and the Vietnam-US Declaration of the Joint Vision have deepened the two countries’ comprehensive partnership and opened up opportunities for all-around cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, he said.
The ambassador said he believes that economic-trade collaboration between the two nations will increase strongly, particularly when the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement is signed.
Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US has risen nearly 20 percent year-on-year over the past two decades. The figure is expected to hit 40 billion USD this year.-VNA
