Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a telephone conversation on Thursday. — Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh on Thursday held phone discussions with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo about Việt Nam-US relations to mark the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

Minh said Việt Nam regarded the US as one of its leading important partners, and expressed his delight at the development of the bilateral ties across all aspects, from politics and diplomacy to economic-trade, national defence-security, science-technology and people-to-people exchanges.

He appreciated programmes on humanitarian cooperation, the settlement of war consequences and dioxin decontamination, which, he said, have significantly contributed to consolidating mutual trust.

The official also praised the two countries’ flexible activities marking the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic ties amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including the exchange of greetings by their senior leaders.

Pompeo spoke highly of efforts made by the two countries in enhancing and expanding the bilateral comprehensive partnership on the basis of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, and sharing a common vision on peace and stability in Indo-Pacific region.

The US attached importance to and committed to maintaining its relations with Việt Nam in a stable manner, he said, adding that the US would boost collaboration in humanitarian issues and war consequence settlement with the Southeast Asian nation.

Pompeo noted with pleasure Việt Nam’s reception of Peace Corps Volunteers who will come to the country to teach English under an agreement on the implementation of the Peace Corps programme.

The two sides also discussed measures to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and help citizens of the two countries return home, as well as coordination in restoring and maintaining regional and global supply chains.

Minh affirmed that Việt Nam highly valued the US’s role at international forums, saying as ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-21 term, Việt Nam would continue coordinating with the US and other partners in handling common challenges, contributing to peace, stability, security and development in the region and the world at large.

Pompeo hailed Việt Nam’s role in global matters, and noted his wish for stronger cooperation with the country in fostering the ASEAN-US strategic partnership.

After the phone call finished, Pompeo tweeted: “Great conversation with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh as we celebrate 25 years of US-Vietnam diplomatic relations. Together we will strive for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The Vietnamese diplomat has also tweeted expressing affirmation for continued cooperation with the US side in multiple arenas. — VNS