PM Pham Minh Chinh to Attend ASEAN-US Special Summit in May

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: VGP

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang told reporters during a routine press conference on April 21 that the ASEAN-US Special Summit will take place in Washington D.C from May 12 - 13 in celebration of the 45th anniversary of bilateral dialogue relations.

PM Chinh will also take the occasion to meet with UN officials, Hang said, noting that Vietnam is actively preparing for the PM’s trip to the US.

The preparation for the summit is going in line with ASEAN procedures, she continued, and at the moment, both parties are making very active arrangements for this major event.

Both ASEAN and the US are looking forward to the success of the summit, she added, as cited by VietnamPlus.

Reporters also raised questions to the spokesperson about the recent comment from the new US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper about his commitment to helping upgrade the ties between the two countries to Strategic Partnership – preferably in 2023 when the two countries celebrate the 10th-anniversary of the Comprehensive Partnership, and whether the elevation of relations might possibly be announced during PM Chinh’s high-level visit to the US in May.

In response, spokesperson Hang said Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership has been flourishing and on this foundation, Vietnam is willing and ready to work with the President Joe Biden administration to strengthen and deepen our bilateral relations in an effective and sustainable manner, for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and beyond, and for the interests of the two countries and the two peoples, according to Viet Nam News.

US White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki earlier announced that President Biden will host the ASEAN leaders in Washington, DC on May 12 and 13 for the ASEAN-US Special Summit.

US President Joe Biden attends the 9th ASEAN-US Summit on October 26, 2021. Photo: AFP

“The Special Summit will demonstrate the US’ enduring commitment to ASEAN, recognising its central role in delivering sustainable solutions to the region’s most pressing challenges, and commemorate 45 years of US-ASEAN relations. It will build on President Biden’s participation in the October 2021 US-ASEAN Summit, where the President announced $102 million in new initiatives to expand our engagement with ASEAN on COVID-19 recovery and health security, fighting the climate crisis, stimulating broad-based economic growth, promoting gender equality, and deepening people-to-people ties.”

It is a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration to serve as a strong, reliable partner in Southeast Asia, she stressed.

“Our shared aspirations for the region will continue to underpin our common commitment to advance an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, secure, connected, and resilient.”

US wants to work with Vietnam towards a brighter future: Ambassador

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper. Photo: VNA

Speaking at his first press conference since assuming the post in Vietnam, Ambassador Knapper emphasised that Vietnam is holding an increasingly important position in the region and the world, and the US wants to grasp every opportunity to join Vietnam as it looks to the future.

Knapper said compared to the time he left Vietnam 15 years ago, the capital city of Hanoi and the country have recorded strong changes and development.

Vietnam has also played an increasingly outstanding role in the region and the world, he said, as cited VietnamPlus.

Highlighting the Vietnamese people’s hospitality that remains unchanged, he noted the two countries have expanded and developed cooperation in various spheres, including trade, investment, energy, healthcare, maritime security, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

The ambassador said one of the stepping stones for bilateral ties is that the two countries have been working together to deal with the consequences of war, including handling dioxin contamination hotspots, removing unexploded ordnance, and seeking those missing in action from both sides. It has helped lay the foundation for the Vietnam - US relations, promote reconciliation, build trust, and pave the way for future.

The US Government recently announced the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, an initiative expected to go beyond a free trade agreement through which the US will promote decarbonisation, boost supply chains’ resilience, and invite regional friends and partners to take part in this initiative, according to Knapper.

Vietnam plays an important role in the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the US, he went on, expressing his hope that Vietnam and other partners will join in new economic initiatives and increase cooperation in climate change fight, energy, and the development of a carbon-free economy.

The diplomat said one of the priorities during his term is to elevate the two countries’ 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 40 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Vietnam.

The US will continue cooperating with Vietnam to cope with Covid-19 as long as it is necessary, he affirmed, adding that it still is ready to help if there is another global health crisis./.

Vietnam, USA Review Positive Development of Comprehensive Partnership Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper were pleased to witness the positive development of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership over ...

Vietnam, US Target Strategic Partnership Vietnam and the US will work to elevate the Vietnam-US relationship to a strategic partnership.

Vietnam, US Trade to Reach $100 Billion for First Time Trade turnover between Vietnam and the US could hit $100 billion for the first time this year, up 221 times against the figure recorded in ...