Vietnam hopes to further strengthen the comprehensive partnership with the US under the Biden administration, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh told newly-appointed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during phone talks on February 5. 

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.

Minh and Blinken shared the view that the Vietnam-US relations have flourished in various areas since the two countries established their diplomatic ties in 1995. They agreed both countries will further strengthen bilateral cooperation to bring their partnership to new heights.

Priority will be given to boosting bilateral trade, economics and investment ties, overcoming the consequences of the past war, and improving the capacity of cooperation in maritime, science - technology, education - training, as well as promoting cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 and response to climate change, they said.

Blinken congratulated Vietnam on the success of the freshly-concluded 13th National Congress of the Communist Party, 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 successfully assuming the role of the ASEAN Chairman 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 supports ASEAN’s central role in the region and expects stronger ties with the bloc in addressing regional and international issues of mutual concern.