President Joe Biden looks forward to a new chapter in US-Vietnam relations

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said that upgrading the relationship is a very favorable condition for developing the next steps. President Joe Biden said he looks forward to and looks forward to a new chapter in Vietnam-US relations.

On the afternoon of September 10, after talks at the Party Central Committee Office, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden co-chaired a press conference to announce the results of the talks.

Respecting President Joe Biden's feelings for Vietnam

Speaking to the press, on behalf of the leaders of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong warmly welcomed President Joe Biden, who has special affection for the country and people of Vietnam and has made many important contributions in different positions to the development of Vietnam-US friendship.

The General Secretary emphasized: "The President's visit to Vietnam this time is very meaningful because it takes place right on the occasion of our two countries celebrating the 10th anniversary of establishing the Comprehensive Partnership."

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the press conference.

The General Secretary shared that he always kept good memories of the warm welcome of the US Government and the affection of the American people during his visit in July 2015. The General Secretary recalled the "sincere and interesting exchange" with Mr. Joe Biden during that visit. The General Secretary thanked President Joe Biden for sending him a letter inviting him to visit the US again last June but had not yet been able to arrange it.

In an atmosphere of friendship, equality, understanding and mutual respect, the General Secretary said that he and the President had an in-depth and fruitful meeting. Both sides agreed that in recent times, the Vietnam-US relationship has developed strongly, deeply, substantially and effectively since the normalization and establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership.

On behalf of the Vietnamese people, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent greetings and thanks to US organizations and individuals who have supported Vietnam and contributed to the development of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

For the benefit of the people of the two countries and the desire to strengthen cooperation for peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the new context, the General Secretary and the US President, on behalf of the two countries, have just decided to adopt a Joint Statement elevating the Vietnam-US relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development .

After this announcement by the General Secretary, the press of the two countries and delegates attending the press meeting warmly applauded.

The General Secretary affirmed: "This is the most important point that says it all", that the partnership will continue to be based on full respect for the basic principles that have guided the bilateral relationship in recent times, including respect for the United Nations Charter, international law and each other's political institutions, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"We also emphasize that mutual understanding, each other's circumstances, respect for each other's legitimate interests and non-interference in each other's internal affairs are fundamental principles of great importance in bilateral relations and international relations," the General Secretary said.

Vietnam highly appreciates and values ​​the US's affirmation of its support for a "strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous" Vietnam. The General Secretary said that the contents of the new partnership inherit the existing cooperation contents and take them to a new level by promoting economic - trade - investment cooperation in the direction of innovation as the foundation, focus and driving force of the bilateral relationship. In addition, strengthening scientific - technological cooperation is a new breakthrough of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development . In the coming time, relevant agencies of the two countries will coordinate to implement the agreements.

Vietnam promotes relations with the United States and other international partners in the spirit that President Ho Chi Minh clearly stated after Vietnam regained independence: "Vietnam is friends with all countries." Regarding the United States, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed Vietnam's complete independence and Vietnam's readiness to fully cooperate with the United States; such independence and cooperation benefit the whole world.

The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam also identified the policy of promoting and deepening bilateral cooperation within the framework of a consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization of foreign relations; Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner and an active, responsible member of the international community.

The General Secretary said that he and President Joe Biden informed each other about the situation in the two countries and expressed their appreciation for the efforts and positive results achieved in socio-economic development in each country. Regarding complicated situations and international conflicts, Vietnam hopes that the parties will engage in dialogue and resolve them peacefully on the basis of respect for the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

The General Secretary hopes that through the visit, the President and members of the delegation will have more opportunities to directly experience the country of Vietnam, a country of innovation, dynamic development, with a long history and culture, and the Vietnamese people, who are affectionate, hospitable, friendly and peace-loving.

The General Secretary expressed his belief that President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam will be a great success.

Vietnam and America overcome pain to embrace the future

For his part, US President Joe Biden thanked General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong for his warm and sincere welcome at this historic moment.

"Today we can look back at the journey of our relationship. We have gone from conflict to normalization, and now we will upgrade our relationship to promote security and prosperity in one of the most important regions of the world.

We will upgrade our relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and we are very pleased about this. This is an extremely essential step for both countries, demonstrating the strength of the relationship itself at a time when we are facing challenges that have a great impact on relations in the region and in the world," the US President affirmed.

President Joe Biden at a press conference.

Biden said the two countries will deepen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, particularly in building a more resilient supply chain for the semiconductor industry. They will also expand their economic partnership to boost investment and trade.

The White House chief cited that last year a Vietnamese company signed a $4 billion deal to build an electric car and battery plant in North Carolina, creating 7,000 jobs. World-class Vietnamese technology companies have been and will be listed on the US stock market, and the two sides will have many more important trade contracts signed during this visit.

"We are working to address the climate crisis, accelerate Vietnam's transition to clean energy, strengthen global economic security and advance cancer and HIV/AIDS treatment, and strengthen security cooperation between our two countries, including combating human trafficking. I also emphasize the importance of respecting human rights," said Mr. Joe Biden.

Speaking about people-to-people exchanges, the President said that this is the focus of the bilateral relationship, millions of Vietnamese Americans are contributing to building stronger communities across the United States. He further cited the US-supported Fulbright University which "witnessed its first class of students graduating" and the two sides "are really working to expand the school".

The United States is also investing to develop a strong workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to promote educational exchange. And to enable scientists to collaborate with each other as they start businesses and innovate.

"Everything that has been achieved in recent times is not accidental or inevitable, but requires the efforts of the leaders of both countries over many years, including my friend today, former senator and former US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, who is the President's special envoy on climate change.

We also achieved this because of another friend who is no longer with us, the late Senator John McCain, whom I will visit at the memorial tomorrow. But they, like me and many others, saw the many benefits we can gain by overcoming our painful past. That is why I decided to run for senator in 1972, because I wanted to end the war in Vietnam," Biden said.

Ten years ago, as Vice President, the two countries reached a major milestone in establishing a Comprehensive Partnership. The President said he was extremely proud of the way the two countries and peoples had "built trust and mutual understanding" to deal with the consequences of war for both peoples.

Bilateral work will continue to include clearing unexploded ordnance left over from the war, cleaning up environmental pollution caused by dioxin, expanding programs to help people with disabilities, and searching for and recovering the remains of American and Vietnamese soldiers still missing.

“Our cooperation on these painful issues and the building of a new legacy, a legacy of peace and shared prosperity, is a testament,” the President said. “It is also a stark reminder of what can be achieved when we can move beyond a painful past to embrace a future of progress, based on the unity and solidarity of our peoples.”

At the end of his speech, President Joe Biden thanked the General Secretary and emphasized: "Vietnam is an important country in the world and in the region. I look forward to and look forward to a new chapter in the relationship between our two countries."

Vietnamnet.vn