 Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on his visit to the United States in 2015. (Photo: VOV) |
In 2015, Mr. Trong paid an official visit to the US at the invitation of President Barack Obama’s administration. Ambassador Osius, who helped organize the visit, noted its historical significance for the bilateral relationship. President Obama’s meeting with General Secretary Trong in the Oval Office marked the first official visit to the US by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
According to Ambassador Osius, during that visit both sides reaffirmed their respect for each other's political system, which laid a foundation for improved bilateral relations and ultimately led to the current Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
 Former US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius (Photo: VOV) |
“In the relationship with the United States, first of all he elevated it to a comprehensive partnership in 2013. And then a decade later when President Joe Biden visited at the General Secretary’s invitation, they elevated the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. So his leadership has had an enormous impact on the relationship with the United States,” he said.
Ambassador Osius praised General Secretary Trong’s legacy in the development of Vietnam and its relations with other countries around the world.
“During his almost 14 years as the General Secretary, Vietnam integrated into the global economy very completely. It’s now growing more than 6.5% this year. It’s at the center of the web of trading relationships. It’s growing more and more prosperous each year. The middle class is growing. The trading relationship with the United States is very strong. And investment from the United States, Japan, Korea and other countries is growing. He left a legacy of a more prosperous Vietnam,” Osius noted.