U.S. reaffirms commitment to strengthen ties with ASEAN

Knapper spoke highly of Viet Nam's strong development in all spheres, especially in the pandemic containment and post-COVID-19 economic recovery.The U.S. Ambassador made that above statement during his meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Ha Noi on March 30.

He pledged to closely coordinate with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to maintain delegation exchanges at all levels, foster the bilateral trade and economic ties as well as enhance collaboration in climate change adaption, high-quality infrastructure development, green and sustainable development, human resource training and digital transformation.

Knapper re-affirmed the U.S.' wish to promote cooperation with ASEAN Member States and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region, for common peace, stability, cooperation and development, which has been manifested in the U.S.' new strategies and initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

The two sides discussed on ASEAN's stance on ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea and peacefully addressing with disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

Prime Minister Pham reiterated that the U.S. is one of the key partners of Viet Nam.

The country hopes to promote the comprehensive partnership with the U.S. more intensively, effectively and practically on the basis of respecting each other independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, political regime, said Pham.

The bilateral trade value reached the record of US$111 billion in 2021, noted the PM.

He took the occasion to express thank to the U.S. Administration and people for donating tens of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses and medical supplies to help Viet Nam fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cooperation in the settlement of war consequences is a spotlight in the bilateral ties while climate change response has become strategic cooperation between the two nations, said Pham.

He expressed his belief that the Viet Nam-U.S. relations will continue thriving in a sustainable, effective and practical manner on the principles of sincerity, trust, respect and equality, looking towards a better future and for the sake of their peoples.