At the reception, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomed the US Secretary's visit and expressed that "the relations between Vietnam and the US have flourished in a practical and positive manner at bilateral, regional, and international level in favour of respective benefits for the sake of regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development.”
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for the US Secretary John Kerry
|
He noticed the importance of maintaining regular contacts and exchanges of delegation at all levels; promoting cooperation in mending post war consequences and in other areas. The Government chief hoped that the U.S. would continue to cooperate with Viet Nam to conduct ongoing projects to decontaminate dioxin in Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports and responding to climate change in the Mekong Delta Region.
PM Phuc reiterated the invitation to visit Viet Nam to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on the occasion of APEC 2017 and highlighted the strategic economic significance of the TPP Agreement for member states, including the U.S.. He also hoped that the U.S. would commit to spurring regional economic and commercial development.
Finally, the host leader hoped to continue to receive valuable support from the guest leader for the better ties between the two countries. In reply, Mr. John Kerry said that he was pleasant to return to Viet Nam. “The two sides have spared no effort to overcome the history and build a better future,” he said.
The Secretary of State reaffirmed U.S. commitments to respect for Viet Nam’s political institution, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The U.S. has long-term interests in the Asia-Pacific Region, said the guest. He was convinced that the new administration would continue to pursue the policy on strengthening relations with the region.
Mr. John Kerry also underscored that he would always be a friend of the country and people of Vietnam. The US said the Secretary of State stands ready to back Viet Nam to cope with climate change and natural disasters. According to the guest leader, Fulbright University Vietnam represents a typical example for the fine relations between Vietnam and the US. Once coming into operation, the university would contribute to developing high-quality human force and business start-up in the Southeast Asian nation.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry had a meeting in Hanoi
|
He also called on the US to prioritise cooperation in addressing war consequences, especially dioxin decontamination at Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports, and implement effectively the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Cooperation issued in 2015 and the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation signed in 2011.
Regarding regional and international issues, Son underlined the significance of the ASEAN-US Strategic Partnership, stressing that Vietnam is willing to coordinate with the US to increase the central role of ASEAN and assist the bloc in building regional architecture in the 21st century.
Regarding the East Sea situation, the two sides stressed the need to abide by international law, and legal and diplomatic processes to settle disputes to maintain peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the sea.
US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed his pleasure to return to Vietnam, and said the two countries’ relations have developed well across many sectors over the past 20 years. He reiterated the US commitments to respecting Vietnam’s political institution, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supporting Vietnam to organise the APEC Summit 2017 successfully.
The US is willing to provide more assistance for Vietnam to cope with climate change, especially in developing clean energy, build sustainable infrastructure, manage water resources and ecological system, as well as accelerate the implementation of dioxin detoxification at Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports, he affirmed. He noted that the official operation of the Fulbright University Vietnam will contribute to developing high-quality human resources in Vietnam.
The Secretary of State also supported the central role of ASEAN and stressed the US will continue coordinating with the association to strengthen intra-bloc solidarity and promote ASEAN-US strategic partnership. The US also advocated the settlement of disputes in the East Sea via peaceful means and legal and diplomatic processes on the basic of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
