Attending the Workshop, there were Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Nhat Quang, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, President of the Academy; Dr. Dang Xuan Thanh, Vice President of the Academy; Mr. Daniel J. Kritenbrink, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America in Vietnam; Mr. Yamada Takio, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Vietnam; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Cu Chi Loi, Director of the American Research Institute; Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Chairman of the Center for Strategic Studies and International Relations Development; representatives of central ministries, agencies, central agencies (Government Office, Western Europe-North America Department belongs to Party Central Committee's Foreign Relations Department, Department of Americas belongs to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Strategy Institute belongs to Ministry of Public Security, etc.) . The seminar also had the presence of former Ambassadors, many leading scholars in Vietnam, representatives of the Asia-Pacific Research Center, the Vietnam-US Association, and representatives of leaders from International block research institutes of Vietnam Academy and Universities.
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Since normalizing and establishing diplomatic relations on July 11, 1995 up to now, Vietnam-US relations have achieved positive results in all aspects. The United States is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner and export market. In 2013, on the occasion of President Truong Tan Sang's visit to the United States, the two sides upgraded to a "comprehensive partnership", since then, the Vietnam-US relationship continues to expand and deepen.
In the opening speech at the workshop, on the behalf of Academy Leaders , President of the Academy, Bui Nhat Quang warmly welcomed the attendance of delegates and expressed the honor to welcome the Special Ambassador. The Governor General of the United States of America in Vietnam as well as representatives of foreign embassies in Vietnam. The President also stated that Vietnam-US relations have experienced many ups and downs and challenges, emphasizing the achievements of the two sides over the past 25 years, and pointing out challenges in Bilateral relations in the future: (1) Vietnam's difficulties in implementing the principle of reciprocity in international trade that President Donald Trump is pursuing. The current issues of improving the business environment in Vietnam to attract US investment are still inadequate in terms of institutions, infrastructure as well as human resources; (2) Challenges from several countries in the region in promoting bilateral relations in the field of defense - security of Vietnam - United States; (3) Differences between political systems and social management principles of two countries.
From the above issues, President Bui Nhat Quang hoped that diplomats and scholars would exchange and discuss in order to propose principles and frameworks to the current Vietnam-US relationship. As in the future, cooperation priorities and difficulties need to be overcome in order to maintain the stability and development of bilateral relations, promote the prosperity of the two peoples, and make a positive contribution to peace, stability in the region and the world.
Speaking at the Workshop, Mr. Daniel J. Kritenbrink expressed his pleasure to visit and work at VAST for the first time; cherishing the achievements in the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States in the past 25 years. At the same time, the Ambassador also acknowledged and appreciated the extraordinary efforts of both sides on the journey to build each cooperation in the past. The Ambassador emphasized that the efforts of both sides will contribute towards a better future and that the United States pledged to continue supporting Vietnam on humanitarian issues (searching for missing people during the war and handling war legacy, Agent Orange ...). This demonstrates the sincerity of the United States in the mutual development between the two countries, building trust, mutual understanding, and promoting people-to-people exchanges in all fields.
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The Ambassador highly appreciated Vietnam in its trade relations with the United States, Vietnam is one of the fastest growing export markets of the United States and a comprehensive strategic partner. Thereby, the two sides would like to further develop in the field of commerce, aviation, energy and security - defense. In particular, Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink treasured Vietnam's capacity and participation in resolving international issues and wished to further promote bilateral relations to a new height, expressing trust into a bright, peaceful and prosperous future.
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At the seminar, the delegates listened to the Survey on Social Attitude in Vietnam - US relations fromAssoc.Prof. Cu Chi Loi presented. Besides, there were the presentations of high-ranking ambassador Pham Quang Vinh; Dr. Nguyen Tuan Minh, VIAS; Dr. Pham Cao Cuong, Deputy Director of VIAS and Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy reflects the content and achievements of Vietnam-US relations, trade-investment relations, education, health and the prospect of strategic partnership of the two countries in the coming time.
The seminar received a lot of opinion and discussion. Accordingly, the delegates have positive comments on the trends and breakthroughs in Vietnam-US relations in the coming time, the relationship will continue to be deeply expanded on the basis of common interests between two parties. These are very important issues in terms of theory and practice, creating a foundation for the development of bilateral relations between Vietnam and the United States in the coming years, towards the future, and Vietnam-US relationswill continue to develop strongly and sustainably for the common good, peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Nguyen Thu Trang
