President proposes Vietnam-US step by step expand cooperation in national security and defense

On the afternoon of June 13, at the Presidential Palace, President To Lam received US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper.

At the reception, President To Lam asked Ambassador Marc Knapper to convey his sincere thanks to President Joe Biden for his good wishes on the occasion of his election as President.

The President affirmed that Vietnam always considers the US a partner of strategic importance and is ready to coordinate with the US to continue to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in an effective and substantive manner on the basis of respecting each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, bringing practical benefits to the people of the two countries and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

President To Lam and US Ambassador Marc Knapper. Photo: VNA

The President also appreciated Ambassador Marc Knapper's contributions to Vietnam-US relations and asked the Ambassador to continue to pay attention to and promote this good partnership.

On behalf of the American leadership and people, Ambassador Knapper respectfully congratulates President To Lam on being elected by the Vietnamese National Assembly to the position of President. The United States consistently supports a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam.

Ambassador Marc Knapper said that after nearly 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations, Vietnam and the US have achieved important and substantial progress in all areas from politics - diplomacy, economics - trade - investment, security - defense, science - technology, innovation to education - training, health - humanitarian, overcoming the consequences of war.

The Ambassador believes that the relationship between the two countries will continue to achieve many successes in the coming time.

The President agreed with and appreciated the Ambassador's comments on the bilateral relationship in recent times.

To maintain the momentum of cooperation, the President suggested that the two sides increase contacts and delegation exchanges at all levels and channels, especially at high levels; further promote cooperation, especially in economics - trade - investment so that this continues to be a bright spot and driving force of bilateral relations. He suggested that the two countries gradually expand cooperation in security - defense in accordance with the wishes of both sides, including cooperation in preventing terrorism, transnational crimes, cyber security, etc.

The President also asked the US to continue supporting Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of war, responding to climate change, and developing high-quality human resources.

The two sides need to continue to cooperate closely and effectively at multilateral and regional mechanisms such as the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, etc., and coordinate to plan activities to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

Ambassador Marc Knapper respectfully thanked and accepted the President's proposals, and affirmed that the Ambassador and the US representative agencies in Vietnam will closely coordinate with relevant ministries, branches, agencies and localities of Vietnam to effectively implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries in the coming time.

Mr. Marc Knapper affirmed that the US values ​​and supports ASEAN's central role in the regional structure and will continue to promote the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Mekong-US Partnership, and coordinate with Vietnam in resolving regional and international issues of mutual concern.

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Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-to-lam-tiep-dai-su-my-marc-knapper-2291332.html