Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III reaffirmed the US’ dedication to proceed strengthening ties with Vietnam as he met with Vietnamese Minister of Protection Gen. Phan Van Giang on the Pentagon in the present day.
Austin mentioned the U.S. stays targeted on overcoming the legacies of struggle as the 2 nations proceed to construct on the current elevation of U.S.-Vietnam relations to a complete strategic partnership.
The secretary additionally expressed his condolences for the lives misplaced after Hurricane Yagi made landfall on Vietnam’s northern coast over the weekend.
“We commend you for the superb job Vietnam has performed responding to this horrible tragedy,” Austin mentioned. “Please tell us if the US can help in any means.”
The assembly comes practically one 12 months after President Joe Biden’s go to to Vietnam the place the 2 nations took steps to raise relations to a complete strategic partnership encompassing cooperation throughout a spread of diplomatic, financial and protection industrial endeavors, amongst others.
The step marked what the White Home hailed as a “new section of bilateral cooperation and friendship” between the 2 nations.
As we speak, Austin famous the elevated army cooperation between the U.S. and Vietnam all through the previous 12 months together with a port go to by the U.S. Navy’s seventh Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche at Cam Ranh, Vietnam in July. Vietnam additionally hosted a multilateral Pacific Partnership mission and a Pacific Angel humanitarian response mission in August.
Austin additionally addressed the US’ dedication to account for these misplaced throughout the Vietnam Warfare and to help Vietnam in its seek for its fallen service members.
“A key a part of our cooperation is overcoming the legacies of struggle, and we stay dedicated to the fullest extent doable, accounting for these misplaced throughout the struggle, and we admire Vietnam’s longstanding assist to assist convey house lacking U.S. service members,” Austin mentioned. “By way of the Vietnam Wartime Accountability Initiative, we’re serving to Vietnam seek for its fallen service members as nicely.”
Throughout the assembly, the 2 sides exchanged info and artifacts associated to these efforts.
The secretary additionally highlighted the Protection Division’s efforts alongside the U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth to remediate dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam.
“We’re working extra carefully than ever, and that is extra essential than ever as we promote our shared targets of regional peace and prosperity,” Austin mentioned.
