Politics

US State Secretary to visit Vietnam, Philippines

US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Vietnam and the Philippines following a trip to the Middle East beginning Dec. 11, the State Department said in a press release on December 9.
US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Vietnam and thePhilippines following a trip to the Middle East beginning Dec. 11,the State Department said in a press release on December 9.

The department said within the Asia-Pacific rebalance, Southeast Asiaholds special importance, and the Secretary’s travel to Vietnam andthe Philippines demonstrates the enduring US commitment and hispersonal connections to the region.

The Secretary’s visitto Vietnam will highlight the dramatic transformation in the bilateralrelationship over the years and the growing partnership in many areas,the press release said, adding that in Hanoi, the Secretary will meetwith senior Vietnamese leaders to advance the Comprehensive Partnershipannounced by President Obama and President Truong Tan Sang in July andto discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Secretary Kerry’s meetings will underscore thegrowth of bilateral trade relationship and the empowering role ofeducation. His visit to the Mekong Delta will emphasize how Americansand Vietnamese can work together on critical issues such as climatechange and renewable energy.

According to thepress release, Secretary Kerry will then travel to the Philippines ,where he will meet with senior Philippine officials to discuss ways tobuild on their economic, security, and people-to-people relations. Then,the Secretary will visit the storm-hit city of Tacloban to witnessfirst-hand the recovery efforts that are taking place there and discusshow the United States can continue to contribute to the relief andreconstruction work.

This trip to Asia will be Kerry's fourth to the region since becoming Secretary of State.-VNA
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