Vietnam, US upgrade ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and United States President Joe Biden held talks in Ha Noi on Sunday

The move followed talks between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden at the headquarters of the CPV Central Committee in Ha Noi.

Biden is in Vietnam for a two-day State visit at the invitation of the Vietnamese Party leader.

Party chief Trong warmly welcomed and appreciated President Biden's visit to Vietnam as the two countries celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Comprehensive Partnership.

The visit holds special meaning and is an opportunity for the leaders of the two countries to discuss bilateral relations as well as international issues, contributing to peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the region and the world.

The General Secretary recalled the fond memories of the sincere exchange with the then US Vice President Joe Biden when he visited the US in July 2015, appreciating the opinions exchanged between the two leaders during that time, and thanked President Biden for the June letter inviting Trong to soon visit the US.

General Secretary Trong briefed the guest on Việt Nam's achievements over nearly 40 years of comprehensive doi moi (reforms), aiming for the goals of "prosperous people, strong country, democracy, fairness, and civility", along the main orientations of economic development, social progress and justice, and the promotion of building a rule-of-law Socialist state, and proactive and active international integration.

Trong also congratulated the significant socio-economic achievements of the US has accomplished under the leadership of President Biden and the contributions of the US in advancing global cooperation to address major challenges such as healthcare, environmental protection, climate change, and food security.

Trong underlined Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, diversification, and multilateralisation of foreign relations; Vietnam proactively and actively engages in comprehensive and extensive international integration; and that Vietnam is a reliable friend, partner, and a responsible member in the international community.

Vietnam follows the defence policy of "four no's."- Vietnam will not join military alliances, will not side with one country to counter another one, will not allow foreign country to set military bases or use Việt Nam's territory to counter a third country, and will not use force or threaten to use force in international relations.

In complex and international conflicts, Vietnam desires all parties to engage in dialogue and peaceful resolution based on respecting the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations (UN) Charter.

Vietnam highly appreciates the US' support for Vietnam's and ASEAN's positions on the East Sea issue.

Vietnam requests that the US continue to support and actively contribute to peace, security, cooperation, and the guaranteeing of the legitimate rights, freedom of navigation, overflight, and lawful interests of countries in the East Sea, refrain from the use or threats of force and actions that go against international law which further complicate the situation, resolve disputes peacefully, observe the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early signing of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea that is consistent with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982.

Trong reiterated that Vietnam had collaborated with the US in fighting against fascism during World War II. The founding father of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, has quoted a portion of the US' Declaration of Independence at the beginning of Vietnam's own Declaration of Independence, as well as sent a letter to the US Government proposing the establishment of full relations with the US. However, the relationship between the two countries has experienced many ups and downs, particularly during the prolonged and devastating war, the most brutal conflict in the 20th century after World War II.

Vietnam is pleased to see that since the normalisation of relations in 1995, especially after the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership in 2013, bilateral ties have witnessed significant, profound, substantial, and effective progress.

Based on the important foundations mentioned above, for the benefits of the people of both countries and the desire to enhance cooperation towards the goals of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in a new context, Vietnam welcomes the establishment of a new high-level relationship between the two countries, known as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation, and Sustainable Development.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and United States President Joe Biden at the press conference following their talks in Ha Noi on Sunday

General Secretary Trong and President Biden both agreed that the reality has demonstrated that the most important factors in the development of Vietnam-US relations are total respect for the fundamental principles guiding the bilateral relationship, including respect for the UN Charter, international law, political independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

General Secretary Trong stressed that mutual understanding, understanding of each other's circumstances, respect for legitimate interests, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs are always of significant importance.

The "particular" guiding principle for the development of Vietnam-US relations is "leaving the past behind, overcoming differences, promoting similarities, and looking towards the future."

Vietnam highly appreciates and values the US' support of a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam.

The General Secretary highly appreciates the agreed-upon contents between the leaders of the two countries regarding the Joint Statement elevating Vietnam-US relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation, and Sustainable Development.

Accordingly, the Party leader underlined several major directions to promote Vietnam-US relations. These include boosting mutual understanding, implementing guiding principles, improving long-term stability, promoting cooperation at various levels and sectors, and people-to-people exchanges.

The General Secretary welcomes the strong promotion of economic, trade, and investment cooperation, as well as inclusive economic growth driven by innovation, which continue to be the central foundation and driving force for bilateral relations.

Both sides have agreed on making breakthroughs in cooperation in science and technology, and the General Secretary welcomes this development.

President Biden expressed his joy at visiting Vietnam and thanked for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation. He added that he was delighted to meet the General Secretary again.

The US leader highlighted that the visit holds historical significance not only for the bilateral relations between the two countries but also for the Indo-Pacific region and the world.

He underscored the US' commitment to supporting an open, stable, safe, interconnected, and prosperous region.

President Biden stressed the importance and position of Vietnam in the region and highly appreciated Vietnam's positive role in various regional and global issues, including climate change response.

The US President affirmed his support for ASEAN's central role and expressed a desire to cooperate with Việt Nam to contribute to the unity and prosperity of ASEAN.

He stressed the importance of the East Sea for international prosperity and stability and reiterated the US' position on the East Sea. The President also emphasised the importance that the US attaches to the goals of the Indo-Pacific Economic Cooperation Framework.

President Joe Biden expressed his respect for Vietnam and highly appreciated Vietnam's development achievements and contributions to international affairs, as well as the leadership role of General Secretary Trong.

The US leader declared his support for Vietnam's development, including economic and scientific-technological cooperation in the new phase, such as the development of the electronics industry, climate change adaptation, and clean energy development.

President Biden commended the elevation of the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which benefits both countries as well as serves common international interests.

Both leaders agreed that the dialogue took place in a friendly, equal, understanding, and respectful atmosphere, with in-depth, comprehensive, and fruitful exchanges.

The significant outcomes of the dialogue and President Joe Biden's visit will positively contribute to the growth of bilateral relations in the new phase, for the benefit of the people of both countries and for peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Other than special friendships with the two neighbours of Laos and Cambodia, Vietnam currently has Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China (2008), Russia (2012), India (2016), Republic of Korea (2022), with the latest addition of the US (2023).

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong (right) and United States President Joe Biden

VNS