US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (R) at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – USSecretary of Defense Mark Esper affirmed the US has attached importance to its comprehensivepartnership with Vietnam while delivering a speech at the Diplomatic Academy ofVietnam in Hanoi on November 20.
In his speech, Esper shared abouthis trips to the Republic of Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnamafter attending the ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting in Thailand. DuringEsper’s meetings with his counterparts, they highlighted the need to maintainorder in line with international law to bring security and prosperity to theIndo-Pacific amid rising challenges.
He emphasised that the US wants astrong, independent, prosperous Vietnam that plays an increasingly importantrole in the Indo-Pacific region, and spoke highly of strong development stepsin bilateral ties in various areas since the normalisation of Vietnam – US relations.
Stressing that defence ties continueto be a highlight in bilateral relations, he committed to continue workingclosely with Vietnam to step up the practical and effective development of thebilateral relationship in the near future, especially in maritime security, theUnited Nations peacekeeping mission, humanitarian assistance, and search andrescue operations.
According to him, cooperation in thesettlement of post-war consequences will continue to be a focus and foundationof bilateral defence relations, with the US’s further support for Vietnam indioxin clean-up at hotspots as well as bomb and mine clearance.
Esper highly valued Vietnam’sefforts in helping with the search for US servicemen missing in action duringthe war, affirming that the US pledges to assist Vietnam in searchingVietnamese soldiers laying down their lives during the war.
On regional and global issues, heaffirmed the US’s long-term support for a free and open Indo-Pacific and theUS’s commitments to maintaining order based on rules to promote peace,stability, cooperation and development in the region, including supportingcountries’ right to exploit natural resources in their exclusive economiczones.
About the East Sea issues, Esperreaffirmed the US’s support for the settlement of disputes in the East Sea throughpeaceful measures in line with international law.
Hailing Vietnam’s increasing rolein assuming the role of ASEAN Chair 2020, he committed the US’s support forVietnam to fulfill its assigned tasks as well as ASEAN’s central role andsolidarity, and the ASEAN – US strategic partnership.
Following his speech, Esper heldan exchange with more than 200 Vietnamese students and scholars and answered questionsregarding the Vietnam – US bilateral ties as well as regional and globalissues./.
In his speech, Esper shared abouthis trips to the Republic of Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnamafter attending the ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting in Thailand. DuringEsper’s meetings with his counterparts, they highlighted the need to maintainorder in line with international law to bring security and prosperity to theIndo-Pacific amid rising challenges.
He emphasised that the US wants astrong, independent, prosperous Vietnam that plays an increasingly importantrole in the Indo-Pacific region, and spoke highly of strong development stepsin bilateral ties in various areas since the normalisation of Vietnam – US relations.
Stressing that defence ties continueto be a highlight in bilateral relations, he committed to continue workingclosely with Vietnam to step up the practical and effective development of thebilateral relationship in the near future, especially in maritime security, theUnited Nations peacekeeping mission, humanitarian assistance, and search andrescue operations.
According to him, cooperation in thesettlement of post-war consequences will continue to be a focus and foundationof bilateral defence relations, with the US’s further support for Vietnam indioxin clean-up at hotspots as well as bomb and mine clearance.
Esper highly valued Vietnam’sefforts in helping with the search for US servicemen missing in action duringthe war, affirming that the US pledges to assist Vietnam in searchingVietnamese soldiers laying down their lives during the war.
On regional and global issues, heaffirmed the US’s long-term support for a free and open Indo-Pacific and theUS’s commitments to maintaining order based on rules to promote peace,stability, cooperation and development in the region, including supportingcountries’ right to exploit natural resources in their exclusive economiczones.
About the East Sea issues, Esperreaffirmed the US’s support for the settlement of disputes in the East Sea throughpeaceful measures in line with international law.
Hailing Vietnam’s increasing rolein assuming the role of ASEAN Chair 2020, he committed the US’s support forVietnam to fulfill its assigned tasks as well as ASEAN’s central role andsolidarity, and the ASEAN – US strategic partnership.
Following his speech, Esper heldan exchange with more than 200 Vietnamese students and scholars and answered questionsregarding the Vietnam – US bilateral ties as well as regional and globalissues./.
VNA
