Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has affirmedthat Vietnam treasures ties with the US and wants to foster bilateralcomprehensive partnership in a practical, effective and stable manner, for the sake of peace,cooperation and development in the region and the world.
During a reception in Hanoi on August 25 for US Vice President KamalaHarris, Chinh wished the US would continue assisting Vietnam in the fightagainst COVID-19 pandemic, including creating favourable conditions for Pfizerto speed up the delivery of more vaccines to Vietnam this year.
Emphasising that Vietnam considers economy-trade a pillar and drivingforce of Vietnam – US ties, he suggested both sides enhance coordination in the framework of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) while considering thepossibility of establishing a new economic-trade cooperation framework.
Vietnam always creates conditions for US firms to do business inVietnam, Chinh said, wishing that the US would also offer support toVietnamese enterprises in the country, thus creating a balance in bilateraltrade and investment.
The host spoke highly of the US’s long-termcommitments to overcoming post-war consequences in Vietnam, and proposed the USaccelerate the implementation of detoxification project at Bien Hoa airport andincrease budget to support Vietnam’s development.
According to him, Vietnam has huge demand forjoint work in education-training, human resources development,science-technology, health care, biotechnology and space for civilpurpose.
Harris, for her part, stressed that the US treasurescomprehensive partnership with Vietnam on the basis of respecting for eachother’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, and not interfering into internal affairs of each other.
She reaffirmed that the US supports a strong,independent and prosperous Vietnam and pledged to continue fostering bilateralties more extensively, stably and firmly in the near future.
The guest affirmed that the US will continueoffering practical support to Vietnam to effectively cope with the pandemic and the risks of other epidemics in the future. She informed that the US will deliver 1million doses of Pfizer vaccine to Vietnam in the next 24 hours.
The US Government will continue givingpriority to reinforcing bilateral ties in economy-trade, climate change, civil space, health care and pharmaceuticals, she said, adding that the US willoffer further assistance to Vietnam in dealing with post-war consequences, United Nations peacekeeping missions, improving maritime security anddevelopment cooperation.
On regional and global issues, both sidesunderscored ASEAN’s central role in the East Sea, Mekong and Myanmar issuesas well as the principle of respecting international law in dealing withregional issues, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, ensuringsecurity, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation.
The host said Vietnam expects to welcome theUS Vice President again when the pandemic is under control. Harris also wishedto travel back to Vietnam when possible./.