U.S. Assistant Secretary of State visits VN

Permanent Deputy FM Bui Thanh Son shakes hands with  U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell, Ha Noi, December 18, 2019 - Photo: MoFA

Permanent Deputy FM Bui Thanh Son highlighted the importance and significance of the visit and welcomed positive progresses in the bilateral ties especially the visit by U.S. President Donald Trump on the occasion of his attendance at the second US – DPRK Summit in Ha Noi in February this year. 

Deputy FM Son spoke highly of the progress in bilateral economic and trade ties, with the U.S. being Viet Nam’s largest export market and Viet Nam emerging as one of the fastest-growing importers of the US, with an annual growth of nearly 20%.

He applauded the active implementation of the action plan towards a harmonious and sustainable trade balance, as well as new developments in bilateral collaboration in education-training, post-war recovery, national defense-security, and regional and global issues of shared concern.

The host leader suggested the two countries boost cooperation in 2020 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties; maintain exchanges of delegations at high level; spur economic-trade-investment ties as the driving force for bilateral ties, as well as collaboration in post-war recovery, science-technology, education-training, and national defense-security. 

In reply, Assistant Secretary of State Stilwell stressed that the U.S. treasures comprehensive partnership with Viet Nam and commits to supporting a strong, independence and prosperous Viet Nam that plays an increasingly important role in the region. 

The guest leader expressed an aspiration to work Viet Nam to boost promote the practical and substantive development of bilateral ties in the near future, especially on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. 

He agreed to prioritize economic-trade-investment ties and effectively realize signed economic-trade deals.

The Assistant Secretary of State agreed to support Viet Nam to overcome the war consequences, including the dioxin clean-up project at Bien Hoa airport.

Regarding regional and global issues, the diplomat stressed the US’s policy of maintaining security, safety, maritime and aviation freedom in the East Sea; settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, with full respect for diplomatic and legal processes and full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, towards the early signing of an effective and practical Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

The same day, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell left Ha Noi after successfully concluding the visit to Viet Nam./.   

By Kim Loan