Vietnam, US boost security cooperation

The agreement was reached during talks in Hanoi on November 21 between Minister of Public Security of Vietnam To Lam and National Security Advisor of the United States Robert C. O’Brien who is in Vietnam for an official visit.

Lam welcomed O’Brien’s visit to Vietnam and expressed his belief the visit will be successful, helping develop the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership practically and substantially.

He noted over the past 25 years, the Vietnam-US relations have developed extensively in all fields, including security and law enforcement, through bilateral dialogue mechanisms and many multilateral cooperation forums of which both two countries are members.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security highly appreciates the results of national defense and security cooperation between Vietnam and the US, and hopes the two sides will continue to foster such cooperation in the interest of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and prosperous development in the region and around the world, Lam told his guest.

The same day, Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich received National Security Advisor of the United States Robert C. O’Brien.

During the meeting, both sides spoke highly of the results of cooperation between Vietnam and the US in recent times, including cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam and the US Department of Defence.

Such results have had a positive impact on the development of the comprehensive partnership, as well as celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US, they noted.

Minister Lich therefore welcomed the results of bilateral co-operation in dealing with the consequences of the Vietnam War, including dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa airport, the clearance of unexploded bombs and mines, and the search for personnel missing in action.

He went on to express his thanks to the US for supporting Vietnam’s effort in UN peacekeeping missions and for helping to boost the capacity of the Vietnam Coast Guard.

In response, NSA Advisor O'Brien affirmed that the US places great importance on the comprehensive partnership that exists with Vietnam.

The US is keen on supporting a strong, independent, and prosperous nation, and expects the country to play an increasingly important role in regional affairs, said NSA Advisor O’Brien.

He went on to express the US’s commitment to increasing co-operation with Vietnam in overcoming the aftermath of the past war, considering this to be a key issue in bilateral defence co-operation moving forward.

The NSA Advisor also thanked the Vietnamese side for their assistance in the search for US soldiers who went missing in action, adding that the US will continue to promote co-operation ties with the Southeast Asian nation in this field.

NSA Advisor O’Brien began an official visit to Vietnam on November 20 in order to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries, according to a statement issued by the Vietnam Foreign Ministry two days ago.