US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper (Photo: VNA)Speaking at his first press conferencesince assuming the post in Vietnam, Knapper said compared to the time he leftVietnam 15 years ago, the capital city of Hanoi and the country have recorded strong changes anddevelopment. Vietnam has also played an increasingly outstanding role in theregion and the world.
Highlighting the Vietnamese people’shospitality that remains unchanged, he noted the two countries have expandedand developed cooperation in various spheres, including trade, investment,energy, healthcare, maritime security, and people-to-people and culturalexchanges.
The ambassador said one of thestepping stones for bilateral ties is that the two countries have been workingtogether to deal with the consequences of war, including handling dioxincontamination hotspots, removing unexploded ordnance, and seeking those missingin action from both sides. It has helped lay the foundation for the Vietnam - USrelations, promote reconciliation, build trust, and pave the way for future.
The US Government recently announcedthe Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, an initiative expected to go beyond a freetrade agreement through which the US will promote decarbonisation, boost supplychains’ resilience, and invite regional friends and partners to take part inthis initiative, according to Knapper.
Vietnam plays an important role in the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US, he wenton, expressing his hope that Vietnam and other partners will join in neweconomic initiatives and increase cooperation in climate change fight, energy, and thedevelopment of a carbon-free economy.
The diplomat said one of the priorities during his term is to elevate the twocountries’ diplomatic relations, continue to reinforce trust with Vietnam,and promote cooperation chances in different fields with the Southeast Asian country.
Regarding assistance for Vietnam in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted that so far, the US has supplied nearly 40million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam.
The US will continue cooperating withVietnam to cope with COVID-19 as long as it is necessary, he affirmed, addingthat it still is ready to help if there is another global health crisis./.
VNA
