US as a Partner of Strategic Importance to Vietnam
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has affirmed that Vietnam consistently regards the US as a partner of strategic importance. This statement was made during a reception for the visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel J. Kritenbrink, on June 21.
During the meeting, Son acknowledged Kritenbrink’s contributions to the strengthening of bilateral ties and expressed gratitude to the US Department of State for its role in elevating the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He also appreciated its coordination in organizing the first Vietnam-US dialogue at the foreign ministerial level in Washington DC in March.
Son stated that Vietnam is prepared to collaborate with the US to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership in an effective, stable, and practical manner. This collaboration is based on mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions, aligned with the interests of both nations’ peoples, and aimed at promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.
Son also voiced Vietnam’s support for the US in strengthening regional cooperation to contribute to global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
During his visit to Vietnam from June 21-22, Kritenbrink reaffirmed the US’s commitment to supporting a strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous Vietnam. Reflecting on Son’s visit to the US for co-chairing the March dialogue, Kritenbrink viewed it as a significant step in realizing the cooperation objectives of the comprehensive strategic partnership.
Kritenbrink praised Vietnam’s increasingly significant role in regional and multilateral forums and emphasized the US’s support for the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the regional architecture. He noted that the US intends to enhance the ASEAN-US comprehensive strategic partnership as well as Mekong-US relations.
Both sides discussed specific measures to effectively implement the new cooperation framework, including increasing high-level exchanges, maintaining economic, trade, and investment collaboration, addressing war legacies, and responding to climate change. They agreed on the importance of cooperation in emerging fields such as innovation, semiconductors, and clean energy transition.
The officials also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, emphasizing the need to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with the basic principles of the UN Charter and international law, including issues related to the East Sea, to ensure regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
During his visit, Kritenbrink also met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc to discuss various aspects of the Vietnam-US comprehensive strategic partnership and other shared concerns.
