 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh. |
Congratulating Blinken on his appointment, Minh expressed his willingness to work closely with the new US Secretary of State to promote the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership in the interest of the two countries’ people, contributing to peace, stability, security, development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world.
The top diplomats agreed that Vietnam-US relations have flourished in various areas since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1995 and that Vietnam and the US will further strengthen cooperation to bring their partnership to new heights.
Priority will be given to boosting trade, economics and investment ties, addressing war consequences, and improving maritime capacity, science - technology, education - training, and promoting cooperation in COVID-19 and climate change responses.
Blinken congratulated Vietnam on the success of the recent 13th National Party Congress, and affirmed that the US will continue to attach importance to its relationship with Vietnam.
The new US Secretary of State also congratulated Vietnam on its successful performance as ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council during the first half of its 2020-2021 term. He reiterated that the US respects and supports ASEAN’s central role in the region and expects stronger ties with the bloc in addressing regional and international issues of mutual concern.