The recent three-day visit by Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, which ended on July 26, has created a new framework for the development of Vietnam-US relations, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh told the press. The minister said President Sang’s trip, which was made at the invitation of US President Barack Obama, was an important step in implementing the country’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, proactive international integration, and diversification of relations, including those with the US.

The President’s visit has been the first high-level visit between the two countries in the past five years, aiming to boost and expand the bilateral relations, particularly in fields of the two countries’ shared interest, including economics, trade, science-technology, education and training, and addressing post-war aftermath.

During his visit, President Sang showed his American hosts Vietnam’s goodwill and readiness to discuss issues in which Vietnam and the US still hold different viewpoints, including human rights issues, thus enhancing mutual understanding and narrowing differences between the two countries.

Within the course of nearly three days, the President and his entourage had nearly 20 meetings with US government officials, congressmen and others, Minister Minh said. On July 25 the President highlighted the Vietnam-US relationship in a dynamic and prosperous Asia Pacific in his remarks delivered at the Centre of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The same day President Sang and President Barack Obama issued a joint statement, affirming their commitment to opening a new phase of bilateral relations between Vietnam and the US based on mutual respect and common interests. In the joint statement, the two leaders agreed to form a Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership to provide an overarching framework for advancing the relationship. After reviewing President Sang’s visit, Minister Minh gave reporters his viewpoints on prospects for the Vietnam-US relations in the coming time. Minh said Vietnam will continue to consider the US a leading partner while the US will also give an important place to Vietnam in its regional policy.

The Vietnam-US ties are expected to maintain its development momentum with new progress, the cooperation contents in each area will be more in-depth and more result-oriented.

Apart from the bilateral ties, President Sang’s visit has contributed to further enhancing the coordination between Vietnam and the US within the framework of ASEAN, the minister said. adding that the two countries will step up cooperation in various fields, including trade, scientific and technological investment, particularly hi-tech areas.