PM Pham Minh Chinh: Vietnam treasures ties with US
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has affirmed
that Vietnam treasures ties with the US and wants to foster bilateral
comprehensive partnership in a practical, effective and stable manner, for the sake of peace,
cooperation and development in the region and the world.
During a reception in Hanoi on August 25 for US Vice President Kamala
Harris, Chinh wished the US would continue assisting Vietnam in the fight
against COVID-19 pandemic, including creating favourable conditions for Pfizer
to speed up the delivery of more vaccines to Vietnam this year.
Emphasising that Vietnam considers economy-trade a pillar and driving
force of Vietnam – US ties, he suggested both sides enhance coordination in the framework of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) while considering the
possibility of establishing a new economic-trade cooperation framework.
Vietnam always creates conditions for US firms to do business in
Vietnam, Chinh said, wishing that the US would also offer support to
Vietnamese enterprises in the country, thus creating a balance in bilateral
trade and investment.
The host spoke highly of the US’s long-term
commitments to overcoming post-war consequences in Vietnam, and proposed the US
accelerate the implementation of detoxification project at Bien Hoa airport and
increase budget to support Vietnam’s development.
According to him, Vietnam has huge demand for
joint work in education-training, human resources development,
science-technology, health care, biotechnology and space for civil
purpose.
Harris, for her part, stressed that the US treasures
comprehensive partnership with Vietnam on the basis of respecting for each
other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, and not interfering into internal affairs of each other.
She reaffirmed that the US supports a strong,
independent and prosperous Vietnam and pledged to continue fostering bilateral
ties more extensively, stably and firmly in the near future.
The guest affirmed that the US will continue
offering practical support to Vietnam to effectively cope with the pandemic and the risks of other epidemics in the future. She informed that the US will deliver 1
million doses of Pfizer vaccine to Vietnam in the next 24 hours.
The US Government will continue giving
priority to reinforcing bilateral ties in economy-trade, climate change, civil space, health care and pharmaceuticals, she said, adding that the US will
offer further assistance to Vietnam in dealing with post-war consequences, United Nations peacekeeping missions, improving maritime security and
development cooperation.
On regional and global issues, both sides
underscored ASEAN’s central role in the East Sea, Mekong and Myanmar issues
as well as the principle of respecting international law in dealing with
regional issues, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, ensuring
security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation.
The host said Vietnam expects to welcome the
US Vice President again when the pandemic is under control. Harris also wished
to travel back to Vietnam when possible./.