HANOI: Vietnam and the US can fortify their comprehensive partnership established last year in different ways, including the consolidation of educational exchange and maritime security cooperation, This was stated by Ambassador Ted Osius..
Osius was appointed to the ambassadorship in Vietnam by President Barack Obama on May 15 this year, replacing David Shear, who took office in the country in 2011.
The partnership was officially announced in July 2013 during Vietnamese State President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to the U.S. at the invitation of President Obama.
On December 16, Ambassador Osius arrived in Hanoi together with his family to serve his tenure. One day later, he presented his credentials to President Sang.
He said in Hanoi that there are at least five ways the two countries can cement their comprehensive ties. Ambassador Osius added that he is “optimistic” about the prospect of President Obama visiting Vietnam next year.
The U.S. will be “very respectful of the decisions that the government of Vietnam makes about which weapons are the most appropriate” for its situation when it comes to the easing of a lethal-weapons ban on the Southeast Asian country, the diplomat asserted.
Washington partially lifted the long-time embargo on lethal weapon sales to Vietnam to help it improve maritime security in October this year, nearly 40 years after the end of the war.
Ambassador Osius also once again confirmed the U.S.’s interests in the peaceful resolution of East Vietnam Sea disputes “in accordance with international law.”
