Outgoing US Ambassador bids farewell to President

Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang received US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius in Hanoi on October 30, appreciating the outgoing diplomat’s active contributions to Vietnam-US relations.

Congratulating the ambassador on his successful term, President Quang said he is happy that Osius will continue fostering bilateral ties, especially in education-training, when he works as Vice President of the Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV).

The President said Osius has helped organise many mutual visits by Vietnamese and US leaders, including a historic visit to the US by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in July 2015, a visit to Vietnam by US President Barack Obama in July 2016, a tour of the US by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in May 2017, and an upcoming trip to Vietnam by President Donald Trump.

During the ambassador’s tenure since 2014, trade between the two countries has risen by over 47 percent, he noted.

President Quang spoke highly of the US’s efforts to complete the detoxification of Da Nang airport and continue detoxifying Bien Hoa airport, stressing that these projects are meaningful to bilateral relations.

The State leader applauded the bilateral cooperation in regional and international issues, including marine security, search and rescue, and response to natural disasters, along with their effective coordination at multilateral forums.

He thanked the US for helping the Vietnam Coast Guard improve its law enforcement capacity and assisting the country to take part in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

[Prime Minister congratulates US ambassador on successful term in Vietnam]

Stressing that education is a top policy of Vietnam, the President asked Osius, in his capacity as FUV Vice President, to contribute further to the development of the countries’ education-training cooperation.

For his part, Osius said he is delighted to continue staying in Vietnam in the new position. He said the new US Ambassador to Vietnam is looking forwards coming to the country and presenting his credentials to President Quang before the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week opens in Da Nang in early November.

Regarding President Trump’s visit to Vietnam and attendance in the week, President Quang said Vietnam is ready to welcome the US President, adding that the two sides will have straightforward discussions on the basis of mutual understanding with a view to promoting bilateral ties.

Osius said he is impressed with Vietnam’s preparations for the APEC Year 2017. He added the organisation of APEC meetings in different localities has demonstrated the country’s dynamism and activeness, thereby helping foreign leaders and businesses to gain an insight into the country and people.

The US Embassy has carefully prepared for the upcoming visit by President Trump, he noted, voicing his belief that the success of the trip will be a milestone in the bilateral relationship.-VNA