Talking with the press about the prospect of the second DRPK– USA Summit going on in Hanoi on February 27-28, Binh said the firstsummit in Singapore put an end to their tense confrontation and opened up a newchapter in bilateral ties as well as situation on the Korean peninsula withpoints of principle.
Despite differences in interest, both the DPRK and the USwanted practical changes, so they decided to conduct negotiations at thehighest level.
Based on such realities, he predicted that there will becertainly good progress in the Hanoi summit with more specific results, sayingthat the DPRK could make new strides in nuclear disarmament while the US couldannounce several measures loosening sanctions against the Asian country.
Though it is unlikely to reach a peace treaty due to theinvolvement of other parties, Binh said a statement on ending the war betweenthe two countries is possible.
According to him, the two sides will hold more summits in thefuture. Though difficulties remain ahead, the door to dialogue, once opened, ishard to be closed, he said.
He added that the DPRK and the US’s selection of Hanoi as thevenue for their second summit proves their trust on Vietnam as well asVietnam’s stature in the region and the world.
The former FM quoted Deputy Prime Minister and ForeignMinister Pham Binh Minh as saying that Vietnam has been chosen thanks to itscontributions to peace and stability in the region and the world. The bestbenefit to Vietnam via the event is its improved stature, he said.
With nearly 3,000 foreign reporters coming to Hanoi and newsaround the summit, Vietnam will be the most important spotlight of the world duringthese days. The world will learn about Vietnam and the capital Hanoi with ancientvestiges intertwined with modernity, open and hospitable people, thus attractingmore tourists to the country, Binh stressed.
Moreover, other countries could see Vietnam’s determinationand organisation capacity. Thousands of work were completed within only 10 days.
Binh expressed his hope that Hanoi will not only deserve itstitle as a “City for Peace” but also a peace-making city. Not only Hanoi butother localities nationwide could play such a role to turn Vietnam into atrustworthy destination for tourism and major events in the region, andmediation efforts as well.
He expressed his belief that the success of the summit will makeHanoi and Vietnam become priority destinations for not only peace anddevelopment on the Korean peninsula but also the settlement of othercomplicated issues in the region and the world.-VNA