Truong Son, VTV Reporter: Ambassador, you have worked directly with US state agencies to prepare for President Obama’s visit to Vietnam, what’s the significance of the visit?
Pham Quang Vinh, Ambassador to US: Looking back at relations over the last 20 years, particularly the last 10 years, this is the 3rd visit by the last three US presidents. For the last 10 years, bilateral relations have seen great progress. First, bilateral trade has reached 45 billion USD, rising 90 times compared to 20 years ago. Second, during president Obama’s tenure, the two countries have formed a framework for long-term relationship, including the comprehensive partnership signed in 2013. Especially, during the historic visit to US by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2015, the US-Vietnam Joint Vision Statement was passed. This is a foundation for further advances in bilateral relations.
Besides, Vietnam-US relations have developed in all aspects including politics, national defence and security, science, education, people-to-people ties, as well as regional and global issues. I totally believe that President Obama’s visit will see positive results and deepen bilateral relations.
Truong Son, VTV Reporter: President Obama’s tenure will end in more than 6 months. Does that affect the meanings of the visit?
Pham Quang Vinh, Ambassador to US: Relations between the two countries always received support from the two parties in the US, from the normalisation of relations to forming the comprehensive partnership. For the last 20 years, US Presidents, whether Democratic or Republican, have contributed to boosting the bilateral relations. President Obama has focused on developing relations with Asia, ASEAN and Vietnam. This lays the foundations for further development in relations in the coming years.
Fulbright University Vietnam proposal approved
Fulbright University Vietnam was granted licence by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on Monday. The university was first mentioned in the joint statement by State President Truong Tan Sang and US President Barack Obama in 2013 and was agreed during the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Vietnam in December 2013. In 2014, the US Congress approved a US$20 million to establish Fulbright University Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. Fulbright Vietnam University is expected to help HCM City to improve education and training quality and competitiveness.
