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“Upgrading the connection with Vietnam to strategic partnership is a precedence, not only for myself however the U.S. authorities,” Knapper mentioned at a press convention in Hanoi, responding to a VnExpress Worldwide question about what he sees because the priorities throughout his tenure.
He famous that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris had talked about her authorities’s robust need to improve the connection when she visited Vietnam final yr.
The U.S. believes that upgrading it to a strategic partnership is not going to solely be an correct reflection of the type of work the 2 sides are doing collectively, but additionally open the door to a lot deeper and broader cooperation between two nations.
He mentioned he and different U.S. officers have had conversations with representatives of the Vietnamese authorities to know how two nations can develop a relationship and “increasing that is one other a part of my ongoing tasks.”
He mentioned that in 2023, when the U.S. and Vietnam will have a good time 10 years of their complete partnership, it might be nice if that is upgraded to the following degree, however he didn’t need to make any predictions.
It is as much as bilateral conversations to determine how and when either side may obtain the aim, he mentioned, reemphasizing that the U.S. was hopeful that the “two nations can get it finished as quickly as doable.”
Knapper mentioned the U.S. and Vietnam had been working collectively on points which are primary to the well-being of each nations.
“If that is not strategic cooperation, I am undecided what it’s.”
Knapper mentioned the Biden administration could be very targeted on the area, as will be seen within the content material of its Indo Pacific technique launched just lately. It’s a means of highway map of how the U.S. desires to develop its ties with this a part of the world.
The technique exhibits that the U.S. and its companions stand for a free and open Indo Pacific area, by which nations are free from coercion. It exhibits that nations should have the ability to transfer items and folks round freely by means of the seas and the air. Nations should have the ability to make selections based mostly on their very own pursuits and never these which are imposed on them, the envoy burdened.
Knapper mentioned the U.S. was very dedicated to working with Vietnam to strengthen its maritime safety and maritime area consciousness capabilities.
The U.S. has given two Coast Guard cutters to Vietnam, a transparent expression of the nation’s curiosity on this regard, he added.
“We’re ready to switch a 3rd Coast Guard cutter,” he mentioned.
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