The ASEAN - US Special Summit takes place in Washington D.C. on May 12 - 13. (Photo: VNA) Daniel J. Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary of State for EastAsian and Pacific Affairs, was cited by state.gov of the USDepartment of State, as saying that this was the largestin-person summit of the Biden - Harris administration to date, and it displayedthe full breadth and depth of the US’s foundational relationship with ASEAN.
He said the core driver of the ASEAN - US partnership is their combined 1 billion people, including over 7 millionAmericans with ties of family and heritage to the countries of Southeast Asia.
The Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau and USuniversities are doing throughout Southeast Asia to strengthen people-to-peopleties through research and training, he noted, mentioning the DevelopmentFinance Corporation and Fulbright University Vietnam’s signing of a financingagreement worth 37 million USD for the Fulbright University Vietnam’snew campus in Ho Chi Minh City.
Regarding the US - Vietnam relations, Kritenbrink alsohighlighted multiple events held by the US - ASEAN BusinessCouncil and the US Chamber of Commerce with ASEAN leaders.
He noted the event organised for Prime Minister PhamMinh Chinh, saying the Vietnamese leader really eloquently laid out his vision forwhat Vietnam is trying to achieve and what the US and Vietnam are trying toachieve together, including by continuing to address legacies from the past ina very productive way while continuing to build a future-oriented partnership.
“Just as we are with ASEAN itself, we’re very hopeful forthe future of our partnership with Vietnam,” according to Kritenbrink.
The Assistant Secretary added maritimesecurity was a major theme throughout the summit, with a focus on the EastSea (internationally known as the South China Sea). Participants were focusedon ensuring that the key to maintaining peace, security, and stability in theregion is ensuring that all disputes and all behaviours are both resolved inand rooted in international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The US reiterated its support for freedom of navigationand overflight and stated its support for the full implementation of the 2002Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties. It also showed support for anenvironment conducive to a code of conduct on the East Sea while emphasisingthat any code of conduct has to be consistent with international law, he wenton.
For his part, Edgard D. Kagan, SpecialAssistant to the US President and Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania onthe National Security Council, said the US and ASEAN have a very similar perspective in many ways on the East Sea,and they were able to get a joint statement that was so clear on basicprinciples and values.
Regarding the Joint Vision Statement, he noted this is asignificant statement that reflects areas that the US and ASEAN have strengthenedtheir cooperation, adding that they have further aligned their visions, andthat it reflects they are going forward and strengthening those ties in thefuture./.
VNA
