Hạ Long -

Vietnam Travel

- Halong Cruises - Travel Company In Vietnam - Vietnam Travel Agency - Ẩm thực - Vietnam Tourism -

Travel To Vietnam

- Hotel in halong

US relations to remain upbeat

Published: 14/11/2008 05:00

0

285 views

VietNamNet Bridge - The bilateral relationship fundamentals between Vietnam and the US are set to be maintained by the Obama administration.

Obama’s victory was lauded across the globe and will not stop US firms from flying the flag in Vietnam’s business landscape

Answering the press’ questions about whether there will be any big changes in US foreign policy toward Vietnam under the new administration, US ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak said there would be few policy changes.

“We’re enjoying a very good relationship with Vietnam. In almost all US presidential elections, with whomever as the winner, US foreign policy will see almost no changes,” said Michalak. He also said he hoped that the president-elect, just like the sitting president, would continue to meet and discuss with Vietnam’s leaders on matters of mutual interest.

“I believe this is the foundation of an international relationship,” said the ambassador, adding that he would try his best so that the new president would have a good understanding of Vietnam. Tran Si Chuong, a former US Congressional staff member, also said that US foreign policy towards Vietnam would be maintained.

“The difference in foreign policy between Republicans and Democrats is fundamentally, on a whole, not significant,” said Chuong. He said that the new Obama administration would likely pay more attention to Asia, including the ASEAN nations. “US-Vietnam bilateral relations should continue to develop smoothly, especially in the areas of education and humanitarian assistance,” said Chuong.

“The primary focus in the first year of the Obama administration can be expected to be on domestic issues, especially the US economic recession, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.” Professor Carlyle A. Thayer, an expert on Vietnam’s affairs with the Australian National University, said that the new Obama administration would be preoccupied with three major issues. The most important is the US economy, followed by reducing US military forces in Iraq and war against al Qaeda-led terrorism in Afghanistan.

“Because of the priority of the US economy, Vietnam’s economic interests will be affected as the US slides into recession,” said Thayer, adding this would be compounded by a global recession. Obama had indicated he favoured keeping Americans employed and there was a risk of protectionism. But US economic policies would not be directed at Vietnam, said Thayer.

“Vietnam must be prepared to wait out the next year which will be a difficult one economically,” he said.

Thayer also said the new administration would continue to work with Vietnam in the UN Security Council in 2009.

“This should build a positive basis for a strategic relationship in the following years,” he said, adding that the administration could be expected to encourage Vietnam to play a more proactive role in UN peacekeeping. He said that the administration could also be expected to support multilateral institutions in the Asia-Pacific more strongly than the Bush administration.

“This opens up opportunities for the US and Vietnam to cooperate in the ASEAN Regional Forum,” he said.

Le Dung, spokesman of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, last week congratulated Obama’s victory.

“We would like to sincerely congratulate Barack Obama for being elected as the new president of the United States,” said Dung.

He also said that in recent years, the Vietnam-US relationship had recorded positive developments on the path of building a constructive partnership, friendship and mutually beneficial multifaceted cooperation. “We firmly believe that in the time to come, the sound friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the United States shall be further strengthened and developed in the interest of the two peoples and that of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world,” said Dung.

(Source: VIR)

Update from: http://english.vietnamnet.vn//politics/2008/11/813707/

Provide by Vietnam Travel

US relations to remain upbeat - Politics - News |  vietnam travel company

You can see more



Halong Cruises

Prev Next

enews & updates

Sign up to receive breaking news as well as receive other site updates!

Ads by Adonline

La Belle Vie Hotel