US Secretary of State Antony Blinken begins visit to Vietnam
This is Mr. Antony Blinken's first visit to Vietnam as US Secretary of State. The visit shows that the US side attaches importance to the Comprehensive Partnership with Vietnam.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken - Photo: Reuters |
At the invitation of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Vietnam from April 14 to 16.
The visit takes place in the context of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership continuing to maintain positive momentum of development thanks to the relationship foundation that has been built and nurtured by both sides over the past 28 years in all fields, bilaterally, regionally and internationally.
This is Mr. Antony Blinken's first visit to Vietnam as US Secretary of State. The visit shows that the US side attaches importance to the Comprehensive Partnership with Vietnam, especially on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership (2013-2023). The visit aims to continue to promote the strengthening of Vietnam-US relations in the spirit of the 2013 Comprehensive Partnership and the 2015 Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam-US Relations, and at the same time implement the results of the phone call between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden (March 2023), continuing to demonstrate Vietnam's independent, self-reliant, multilateral and diversified foreign relations policy.
During this visit, the two sides will discuss the recent situation of Vietnam-US relations, measures to maintain momentum and develop the relationship between the two countries in a more substantial and effective manner in all areas in the coming time, especially new areas such as digital economy, green economy, cooperation in responding to climate change, etc., contributing to enriching activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership.
In recent times, the United States and Vietnam have regularly contacted and exchanged delegations through flexible forms to enhance understanding, trust, and coordinate in handling issues of mutual concern. Regarding economic-trade-investment cooperation, the United States is Vietnam's largest export market (reaching more than 109 billion USD in 2022), and is Vietnam's second largest trading partner (bilateral trade value in 2022 reached more than 123.8 billion USD, an increase of 11% compared to 2021). Regarding investment, in 2022, the United States ranked 11th out of 140 countries and territories with FDI in Vietnam.
Defense and security cooperation continues to be maintained and promoted, with annual dialogues such as actively implementing the Pacific Partnership Program, arranging a visit to Vietnam by a US aircraft carrier, etc. Humanitarian cooperation and overcoming the consequences of war are given high priority, in which the US government and Congress continue to increase the budget for the Bien Hoa airport detoxification project (phase 1 completed), support for people with disabilities in dioxin-contaminated areas, and aid for mine clearance projects./.
