The United States attaches great importance to its comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam and looks forward to strengthening it. This was stated by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegsett, who is on an official visit to Hanoi, meeting with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) To Lam, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
According to Hegsett, the United States “supports a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam“. The United States looks forward to strengthening cooperation at the strategic level, both bilaterally and regionally, especially in the areas of transnational crime prevention, maritime security, humanitarian assistance, military training, UN peacekeeping and disaster response, Hegsett said. He confirmed that the United States will continue to support Vietnam in increasing the capacity and modernization of its defense industry and will expand cooperation programs with the Vietnamese side in the field of training highly qualified personnel.
The Pentagon chief also noted the outstanding results of the two countries' cooperation in overcoming the consequences of the war, including projects to clean up the territories of former US military bases in Bien Hoa in the south and Da Nang in central Vietnam from dioxin contamination used by the US military during the war, calling them “a vivid reflection of the process of reconciliation and cooperation“ between the two countries. He affirmed that the U.S. Department of Defense will continue to work closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to complete ongoing projects and expand cooperation in new areas in accordance with the needs and capabilities of each country.
The General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee reaffirmed that Vietnam, consistently pursuing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralism, has always considered the United States a key partner and is ready to continue strengthening comprehensive bilateral cooperation in various fields for the benefit of the two peoples. The Vietnamese top leader praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to promote peace and resolve conflicts around the world, affirming that Vietnam is also ready to participate and play an active and responsible role in finding solutions to regional and international problems.