United States continues to strengthen ties with Vietnam

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) – Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to continuing to strengthen ties with Vietnam during his meeting with Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang at the Pentagon.

Austin said the US remains focused on overcoming the consequences of the war as the two countries build on the recent development of US-Vietnam relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The secretary also expressed his condolences for the lives lost after Typhoon Yagi made landfall on the northern coast of Vietnam over the weekend.

The meeting comes nearly a year after President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam, with the two countries taking steps to elevate relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership that includes diplomatic, economic and defense-industrial cooperation.

The move marked what the White House described as a “new phase of bilateral cooperation and friendship” between the two countries.

The past year has been marked by increased U.S.-Vietnam military cooperation, including a port visit by the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche in Cam Ranh, Vietnam in July. Vietnam also hosted a multilateral Pacific Partnership mission and a Pacific Angel humanitarian response mission in August.

Austin also addressed the United States’ commitment to accountability for the victims of the Vietnam War and to assist Vietnam in the search for its fallen service members.

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