HCMC – U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’s visit to Vietnam signifies the deep commitment of the United States not only to the region, but also to the United States-Vietnam relationship, especially in the Covid-19 response, and economic and security issues.
During her meetings with Vietnamese leaders, Vice President Harris reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to a strong, prosperous and independent Vietnam as well as a free, open, healthy and resilient Indo-Pacific region, the local media reported.
Harris on August 25 announced that the United States would donate one million more Pfizer vaccine doses to Vietnam, of which around 770,000 have already arrived in Vietnam.
She also attended a ceremony to launch the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Southeast Asia Regional Office in Hanoi.
The location of the office in Hanoi, with an aim to prevent and control the Covid-19 pandemic as well as other diseases in the future, demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. to Vietnam and Southeast Asia as a whole, Harris added.
The second priority in its partnership with Vietnam is economic ties. The U.S vice president said Vietnam was one of America’s 10 largest trade partners and the Vietnamese economy played an important role in the American supply chains.
The U.S. also sought to boost security cooperation with Vietnam. Harris said the U.S. would support Vietnam to enhance its maritime security and law enforcement capabilities and coordinate with Vietnam to maintain the international order based on international laws.
She also stressed the enhancement of security and national defense relations and to foster the cooperation of the maritime police of the two countries.
Harris also attended the signing ceremony of an agreement on a new location of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi.
Harris said the U.S. is considering doing what it can to elevate the bilateral relations with Vietnam to a strategic partnership.
During a press briefing on August 26, Harris said the U.S.-Vietnam relationship would be long-lasting and meaningful to the people, security and prosperity of the U.S.
She expected her visit would open a new chapter for the partnership between the two countries.
She affirmed that the U.S. will focus on supporting Vietnam in healthcare and expected the Vietnamese people to understand that the U.S. would always be with them during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The U.S. pays much importance to the comprehensive partnership with Vietnam based on the principles of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and politics, Harris added.
At a meeting on August 25 with the U.S. vice president, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hailed Harris’ visit to Vietnam, especially at a time when Covid-19 is raging in the country.
He reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, sovereignty, diversification and multi-lateralization, saying the country is a good friend and partner of the international community.
Vietnam attaches importance to the relationship with the U.S. and expects to develop the comprehensive partnership, PM Chinh added.
Vietnam always creates conditions for U.S firms to do business in the country and expects the U.S. to facilitate Vietnamese businesses to do business in the U.S.
PM Chinh also expressed his sincere gratitude to the U.S. for supporting Vietnam with Covid-19 vaccines and medical equipment.
