Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son holds phone talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on May 28 (Photo: VNA) Son congratulatedBlinken on the US’s recent successes in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic andinitially recovering the economy and thanked the US Government for practicallyassisting Vietnam in the coronavirus combat, especially in accessing vaccines.
He highly valued Blinken's significant contributions to bilateral relations, expressinghis readiness to cooperate closely with the official to further promote the Vietnam -US comprehensive partnership.
Vietnam will continue makingefforts to achieve stable and harmonious trade ties with the US, and it hopesthat the US will soon conclude the investigations related to the Vietnamesecurrency issue under Section 301, he said.
The minister also spoke highly of the US Government’s investment commitments to the Fulbright UniversityVietnam (FUV) so as to turn the FUV into a leading centre for traininghigh-quality human resources for not only Vietnam but also the entire region.
For his part, Blinkenhighlighted his country’s support for a strong, independent, and prosperousVietnam, noting that the US Department of State will work with relevantagencies to continue bringing the Vietnam - US relations to a new height.
Speaking highly of Vietnam’ssuccesses in coping with COVID-19, he said the US will keep assisting countries,including Vietnam, to access vaccines via the COVAX Facility and partner nations.
He also congratulated theSoutheast Asian country on successfully taking over the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2020,and pledged continued support for Vietnam to fulfill its non-permanent membership ofthe United Nations Security Council for 2020 - 2021.
The US attaches importance toand supports ASEAN’s centrality in the region and the Mekong - US partnership, Blinken said, adding that it wants both sides to continueenhancing coordination in the issues of common concern at regional andinternational mechanisms, thereby helping to consolidate peace, stability,cooperation, and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world as awhole.
During the talks, the two ministers shared the view that the Vietnam - US relations are growing well invarious areas, based on their respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty,territorial integrity, political regimes, and mutual benefits.
They agreed to continue strengtheningcollaboration so as to help further expand and intensify bilateral relations,with a focus on economic - trade - investment links, settlement of warconsequences, maritime capacity building, science - technology, education -training, COVID-19 prevention and control, climate change response, andenvironmental protection./.
VNA
