US Ambassador Marc E. Knapper: The US is committed to helping Vietnam realize its goals at COP 26

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper at the press conference on the afternoon of April 20 – Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

At the invitation of US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will join the leaders of ASEAN countries to attend the Special Summit to celebrate the 45th anniversary of ASEAN – US relations on May 12 and 13 in Hanoi. Washington DC, USA.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will lead a Vietnamese delegation to visit and work in the US and the United Nations (UN) from May 11 to 17.

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reporter interviewed Ambassador Knapper about this event.

* After 27 years of establishing diplomatic relations, the relationship between Vietnam and the US has made great strides. In that context, what is the significance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to the US from May 11 to 17? What opportunities will the visit bring to both sides, ambassador?

– Ambassador Marc E. Knapper: Vietnam and the US have a strong partnership. The extensive cooperation between the two countries has contributed to the further development of our partnership.

We are working with Vietnam, a strong and independent country, in fields as diverse as trade, development, education, health, energy and security, with a shared commitment to peace. peace and prosperity.

We are a reliable partner, committed to helping Vietnam realize its ambitious goals at COP26.

We are very pleased that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will come to the US to attend the ASEAN – US Special Summit; welcome you and the delegation to attend meetings with the US government, business and academics. The momentum of the bilateral relationship is enhanced by the frequent exchange of visits by senior leaders.

The delegation’s busy schedule during this upcoming visit demonstrates the importance of the Vietnam-US relationship for both countries, with many activities in areas such as health, education, and security. – defense, trade and development.

We are delighted that the Prime Minister will be meeting not only the leaders of the US Government but also with private sector partners who are at the forefront of innovation, digital transformation and the creation of greener products. .

* During his stay in the US, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations. How does the Ambassador evaluate the ASEAN-US partnership in the past time as well as the prospects for cooperation between the two sides in the coming time? How does the Ambassador view Vietnam’s role in ASEAN-US relations?

– Through the ASEAN-US Special Summit, which was held for the first time in Washington DC, we emphasized the importance of ASEAN to the US. We support ASEAN’s centrality and its efforts to deliver sustainable solutions to the region’s most pressing challenges.

To that end, the United States will strengthen its longstanding partnership with ASEAN and launch new high-level cooperation in health, climate and environment, energy, transportation, and technology. equality and gender equality. The US will continue to be the number one investment partner in ASEAN member states – investing more than the next three Southeast Asian investment partners combined.

Vietnam plays an important role in the international arena. This is reflected in a successful two-year term at the UN Security Council that has just ended. We cooperate with Vietnam on a wide range of issues related to the common goals of regional and global peace and prosperity.

Supporting Vietnam in deploying UN peacekeeping forces is an outstanding example. The US is proud of its cooperation with the Vietnam Peacekeeping Center, providing equipment, supporting Vietnam in training and exchanging expertise with Vietnamese peacekeeping forces.

We are also a proud partner of Vietnam in ASEAN. The United States welcomes a strong and independent ASEAN that plays a leading role in Southeast Asia. We support ASEAN’s centrality and its efforts to deliver sustainable solutions to the region’s most pressing challenges.

To that end, the United States will deepen its longstanding partnership with ASEAN and launch new high-level cooperation in health, climate and environment, energy, and transportation. , equity and gender equality.

We will work with ASEAN to build ASEAN’s resilience as a leading regional institution.

The United States is also working closely with Vietnam in the process of building a vision for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, to improve resilience, inclusivity, and competitiveness for economies. we.

Through this initiative, we aim to contribute to cooperation, peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development in the region. We also look forward to learning from Vietnam’s experience when the US hosts APEC in 2023.

* Are two countries with a special relationship. Overcoming the differences in the past, the two countries in the two hemispheres have been making step-by-step efforts to promote the growing relationship. What are the ambassador’s expectations for this relationship in the future, sir?

– The partnership between Vietnam and the US is at its best ever and as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said, Vietnam has never had such a high international reputation as it does now.

Our two countries have moved from a history of conflict and division to a comprehensive partnership in the fields of politics, security, economy, people-to-people exchanges, as well as joint efforts to deal with the consequences. Of war. The partnership is growing stronger day by day.

We really look forward to upgrading this relationship to a strategic partnership. We believe that the word “strategy” more accurately describes the work we are doing together.

Our Indo-Pacific Strategy and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework articulate this partnership. Vietnam is central to our commitment to this important region.

Regarding the economic relationship between the two countries, this is an important time for both the US and Vietnam. Bilateral trade is one of the most important cooperative relations of the two countries.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral trade between the US and Vietnam will reach nearly 113 billion USD in 2021, up 26% compared to 2020. Enterprises of the two countries have cooperated to invest billions of USD in various fields. important sectors that affect people’s lives, such as health, energy, technology and infrastructure.

The US is an important partner of Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to join hands with Vietnam in the economic recovery process. The US has provided nearly 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam. American businesses have also supported Vietnam in procuring thousands of ventilators.

We are very proud to have helped Vietnam save the lives of many patients not only in cities but also in provinces and remote areas.

As the pandemic disrupts global shipping and supply chains, disrupting many businesses and both economies, the two countries’ partnership helps guide post-pandemic recovery efforts, directing to a better future.

As US President’s special envoy John Kerry said during his visit to Vietnam in February 2022, the 2020s will be the decade of climate action and no region in the world will play a more important role in climate action. With the realization of the global target of net zero emissions by 2050 as economies of the East Asia and Pacific region, we see tremendous opportunities for the private sector in both the US and Vietnam. Nam in supporting climate action through innovation and investment.

The United States is an undisputed partner of Vietnam in these efforts, not only in the years to come but for decades to come.

Another promising area of ​​bilateral cooperation is the digital economy, which is increasingly important for economic growth. Over the past two years, e-commerce, online meetings and digital payments have helped our two economies through an unprecedented global pandemic. The digital economy will account for about 5% of Vietnam’s total GDP by 2020.

The “National Program on Digital Transformation” has set a target of increasing this share to 30% of GDP by 2030. The US hopes Vietnam will have a leading position in the digital economy, but it is important to create a reasonable structure for that economy.

We have had fruitful discussions with the Vietnamese side on this topic and are pleased to continue sharing our experience in balancing growth opportunities with innovation and privacy needs. and security.

In the coming year, I think there will be great opportunities to deepen and expand the cooperation between the US delegation, the Government of Vietnam, and the private sectors of the two countries to support the common goals in Vietnam. Vietnam as the resumption of the global supply chain; promote the country’s clean energy transition and sustainable growth; develop a digital economy in line with international practices, bring world-class American products and services to Vietnam to support Vietnam’s economic development.

* Sincere thanks to the ambassador.