Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s historic visit to the United States marks a new level in bilateral ties since Trong and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed Tuesday on major directions to foster relations, and deepen and diversify the comprehensive partnership in the future.

Landmark White House meeting

Trong said before the two nations normalized diplomatic relations two decades ago, no one would think about a landmark White House meeting between a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and a U.S. President.

But Party chief Trong met with President Obama in the Oval Office at the White House Tuesday and the two sides, the Vietnamese Party leader said, had a constructive, straightforward and sincere talk.

The two former foes have now become friends and then comprehensive partners, he said, and bilateral relations will expand in the future owing to the strategic vision and the efforts of leaders of both sides and the support of the people. 

“Despite the sad chapters in the history of bilateral ties, the two countries have built their relations to the comprehensive partnership today with the spirit of leaving the past behind, overcoming differences, building on similarities and looking toward the future,” Trong was quoted by VietnamPlus, a news site of Vietnam News Agency. 

Comprehensive cooperation

He said both sides had extensive and in-depth discussions on how to build a better relationship in the future with comprehensive development in all fields both bilaterally and multilaterally on the basis of mutual respect and in accordance with international law.

Trong and Obama underscored the need for more high-level exchanges and contacts, expanding consultation mechanisms between the two countries on issues of mutual concern, promoting economic-trade-investment cooperation as a cornerstone and driving force for bilateral relations, continuing to bolster scientific, educational, medical and environmental collaboration, and reinforcing partnership in defense and security, including the effective implementation of the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations.

On the defense and security front, the Joint Vision Statement adopted by Vietnam and the U.S. on the occasion of Trong’s July 6-10 visit to America says, “The United States and Vietnam reaffirm continued bilateral cooperation in defense and security, as outlined in the United States – Vietnam Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations. Both countries underscore their commitment to collaborating on, among other issues, addressing non-traditional security threats, cooperation in maritime security, maritime domain awareness, defense trade and information sharing, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and defense technology exchange.”

Working towards concluding TPP talks

The two leaders hailed positive progress in negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and underlined the importance of this trade pact to regional development. Therefore, the two sides will coordinate with the other negotiating partners to conclude TPP talks soon.

The joint statement says the two sides “expect to work in close coordination with the other negotiating parties to conclude the ambitious and comprehensive TPP agreement as soon as possible and to carry out whatever reforms may be necessary to meet the high standards of the TPP agreement, including as necessary with respect to commitments relating to the 1998 ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

“Both countries are committed to a high-quality, balanced TPP agreement that meets the interests of all parties and creates a new long-lasting, mutually beneficial framework for economic and trade cooperation between the United States and Vietnam, while providing a new impetus for regional economic cooperation and contributing to cooperation and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.”

America expresses appreciation of Vietnam’s progress in economic reforms and pledges continued support for and constructive engagement with Vietnam, according to the joint statement.

Party chief Trong requested the Obama administration to recognize Vietnam as a market economy now that Vietnam is in negotiations over the high-standard multilateral trade pact TPP. And the U.S. notes Vietnam’s interest in pursuing market economy country status as stated in the joint statement. 

Since Vietnam is the least developed economy among the 12 negotiating partners, Trong said, the TPP, with high standards, needs to take into account the developmental level of negotiating members and respect their political and cultural differences.

Human rights issues

The two leaders had candid and open discussions on human rights issues. President Obama expressed hope that the two countries will continue dialogues and enhance cooperation in this field.

Trong stressed that the full guarantee of human rights overall has always been the goal and a top priority of Vietnam. He affirmed the country is willing to continue holding dialogues with the U.S. in the field in an open and constructive manner. 

“Both countries pledge continued support for the promotion and protection of human rights and support the maintenance of positive, frank, and constructive dialogue on human rights to improve mutual understanding, and reduce differences,” says the joint statement.

“They encourage further cooperation to ensure that everyone, including members of vulnerable groups, regardless of their gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, and including persons with disabilities, enjoy fully their human rights. The United States welcomes Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to harmonize its laws with its 2013 Constitution and international commitments, which Vietnam undertakes for its comprehensive development, including the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The United States welcomes Vietnam’s ratification of the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the two countries look forward to technical cooperation in this regard.” 

Support for U.S. engagement in Asia-Pacific

The two countries are committed to strengthening cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern.

Vietnam throws support behind America’s increased engagement in the Asia-Pacific region to ensure peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region and the world over.

“The U.S. welcomes Vietnam’s active international integration policy, and Vietnam welcomes the U.S. policy of enhanced cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region. Each country commends the other’s contribution to supporting peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region and the world over,” says the statement. 

The two countries are committed to promoting cooperation on sustainable development, addressing traditional and non-traditional security threats, including natural disasters, wildlife trafficking, water security, and pandemics.

The two countries will expand collaboration on peacekeeping operations and climate change and look forward to the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit and to concrete national actions to promote nuclear security.

They will also enhance cooperation in regional fora, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, Lower Mekong Initiative, and the East Asia Summit, and recognize the importance of a united and strong ASEAN, ASEAN’s central role in the regional political and security architecture, and the United States-ASEAN Strategic Partnership. 

Concerns over actions in East Sea

President Obama and Party General Secretary Trong discussed concerns over activities in the South China Sea, known in Vietnam as the East Sea, at the White House meeting Tuesday.

“Both countries are concerned about recent developments in the South China Sea that have increased tensions, eroded trust, and threatened to undermine peace, security, and stability.

“They recognize the imperative of upholding the internationally-recognized freedoms of navigation and overflight; unimpeded lawful commerce, maritime security and safety; refraining from actions that raise tensions; ensuring that all actions and activities taken comply with international law; and rejecting coercion, intimidation, and the use or threat of force.

“Both countries support the peaceful resolution of disputes in conformity with international law, including as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (UNCLOS), and recognize the importance of fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in its entirety, as well as efforts to conclude the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.”