Party leader talks US-Vietnam relations at CSIS

In his speech, the leader underlined Vietnam's consistent aspirations for friendship and sound co-operation with the US, noting that bilateral relations have developed vigorously over the last 20 years with a number of notable milestones, such as the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1995, the signing of a bilateral trade agreement in 2000 and the inauguration of the comprehensive partnership in 2013.

Both nations have attained positive and substantive progress in co-operation on the basis of respecting international law, including respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regimes, thus contributing practically to peace, stability, co-operation and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Such outcomes are the result of efforts made by the leaders and people of both countries in the spirit of overcoming past disputes, overcoming differences, promoting similarities and looking towards the future, he said.

The General Secretary stressed his country's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, co-operation, development, multilateralisation, diversification, and proactive international integration. Vietnam has set up diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries and established comprehensive and strategic partnerships with important partners.

He said that the two sides should make incessant efforts to intensify their comprehensive partnership and form a foundation to raise their relationship to a new level in the future.

Much remains to be done in order for Vietnam and the US to move their relations forwards, including enhancing mutual understanding and building political trust between their leaders, politicians and peoples, he noted.

The Party chief described economic-trade-investment collaboration as a driving force for their bilateral ties that needs to be strengthened, highlighting affiliation potential in science-technology, education-training, healthcare and the environment as strengths of the US and related to Vietnam's sustainable development.

Meanwhile, defence-security co-operation is a factor that could increase mutual trust and the value of their strategic linkages, he said, pointing to humanitarian collaboration and people-to-people exchanges as possible focus points.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasised in his speech that Vietnam attaches the utmost importance to human rights issues, and is working to build a better society for all. He also expressed his country's willingness to coordinate with the US in global matters of shared concern, including anti-terrorism, cyber security, epidemics and climate change impact prevention.

Historical experience and outcomes of the 20-year relationship show that friendship and co-operation benefits both sides and is in the interest of both peoples as well as to the region and the wider world, he said.

He continued to say that differences between the two countries are an objective and inevitable fact amidst a diversified world where each nation has the right to select their own way of development, yet differences cannot be an obstacle to the expansion of their friendship and co-operation.

After the speech, the Party leader candidly exchanged opinions with US researchers, experts and diplomats.

He said though investment-trade relations have grown over the past years; they are yet to live up to expectations. He hoped for stronger co-operation in the field through enhanced efforts made by both nations and the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

The leader noted that Vietnam and the US inked a defence-security co-operation agreement in 2011 and asked for the continued realisation of agreed contents.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong also said Vietnam is highly interested in human rights issues and considers it a strategic and fundamental goal to ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of its own citizens and the entire community.

People arrested for violating laws were handled in line with legal regulations, completely independent of faith or religious reasons, he noted.

(Source: Nhandan Online)