Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Sonattended and delivered a speech at a seminar on Vietnam-US relations at BrookingsInstitute in Washington D.C. on March 26, within the framework of his official visitto the US to co-chair the first foreign ministerial-level dialogue between the twocountries.

In his speech, Son said that amidst latenttraditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region, Vietnamconsistently implements its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance,peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation anddiversification of foreign relations, comprehensive and extensiveinternational integration, and being a friend, a trusted partner and an activeand responsible member of the international community.

In particular, the minister emphasised thatVietnam continues its bamboo diplomacy school of "solid roots, strongtrunks, flexible branches" to respond to challenges and maintain a favourablediplomatic environment for national development, which is clearly reflected in thefact that to date, Vietnam has established a strategic partnership andcomprehensive strategic partnership with all five permanentmembers of the United Nations Security Council.

He said to achieve its set development targets, inaddition to its efforts, activeness and self-reliance, Vietnam needs apeaceful, stable external environment and active cooperation and support fromimportant partners, including the US. In that spirit, the minister affirmedthat Vietnam always considers the US as one of its most important partners.

To further deepen the Vietnam – US comprehensivestrategic partnership, Son said that the two countries need to increase theexchange of high-level and all-level delegations; promote political trust;continue focusing on economic - trade - investment cooperation; boostcollaboration in science, technology and innovation, including thesemiconductor ecosystem; consolidate people-to-people exchanges, educationaland cultural cooperation; and coordinate more closely at multilateral forumsand cooperation mechanisms such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN), the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum,and the Mekong - US partnership.

Vietnam will also continue to improve thebusiness environment, and create favourable conditions for foreign enterprisesto invest and do business in the country, he emphasised.

Receiving several advisors and assistantsof the US Congress, Minister Son expressed his thanks to parliamentarians of both parties, notablySenators John McCain, John Kerry and Patrick Leahy, who always support Vietnamand Vietnam - US relations. He proposed the US Congress to maintain support forbilateral cooperation in various fields, including overcoming the consequencesof war, economics, trade, education and training, science, technology,security, defence, and people-to-people exchanges.   

The advisors and assistants appreciated Vietnam’sefforts to create a favourable environment for US businesses to invest in thecountry, implement international commitments to respond to climatechange, especially in the Mekong Delta region, and ensure human rights.

They affirmed the support of the twopolitical parties in the US Congress for bilateral relations as well ascontinued cooperation with Vietnam to contribute to further develop thebilateral ties in various fields in the spirit of the new relationshipframework as well as in regional and international issues.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese foreignminister also received Jeffrey Goss, Associate Vice Provost/SE Asia at the ArizonaState University, and had an online meeting with NVIDIA Vice President KeithStrier./.