US, Vietnam enhance comprehensive partnership

Leading diplomats from Vietnam and the US gathered in Hanoi on January 26 for an international conference reviewing 20 years of the Vietnam-US relations.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Dr. Dang Dinh Quy, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) Director highlighted the presence of famous American friends who traveled thousands of kilometers to attend the event. 

Dr. Quy highlighted the event as a historic destination as both countries have maximized efforts to strengthen mutual understanding and promote bilateral relations. 

New US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius said the conference aimed to deepen the relationship  and bolster cooperation with US investors. 

New US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius

Osius also said the US is keen to establish American universities in compliance with international standards in Vietnam, which will open up a new period in the relationship between the two nations. 

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc in turn said Vietnam has always supported the US greater role and its involvement in the Asia-Pacific region, which  has delivered huge benefits to the whole region. 

The Deputy Foreign Minister also emphasized that Vietnam-US relations have undergone important historical milestones and it has taken 70 years to develop the two countries’ relationship to a comprehensive partnership.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc

Meanwhile, the former US Ambassador to Vietnam Pete Peterson said the continuing search for US soldiers who remain missing in action (MIA) has been a success and has served as a catalyst to build trust and relationship between the two governments,

Ambassador Pete Peterson said in the 1970s, not many Americans want to normalize relationship with Vietnam. However, thanks to great efforts from the US Ambassador, Senator John McCain and former President Bill Clinton, Vietnam-US relations have developed well today.
 
The event, co-organised by the DAV, the US Embassy in Vietnam and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), focused on discussions on lessons learnt from 20 years of normalized relations, and issues on economics, security and politics, and people-to-people exchange as well as opportunities and challenges in the next 20 years. 

(Source:VOV)