The Governor of the
State of Hawaii, Neil Abercrombie, promised to better relations with Vietnam and
to develop cooperation with the Southeast Asian country in terms of business and
exchange of students and tourists.

gioi thieu

At
a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Le Cong Phung on March 10 in
Honolulu, the Hawaii Governor agreed upon the Ambassador’s proposal that while
Vietnam – US relations have matured after more than 15 years of diplomatic
relations, Hawaii should strengthen relations with Vietnam as well as establish
ties with its cities and provinces.

“You can rest assured that our relations with the Vietnamese community here will
be better,” Abercrombie told the Vietnamese diplomat. “I will continue
supporting the Vietnamese community here”.

He informed the Ambassador that the Vietnamese community in Hawaii, who account
for 3 percent of the State’s population (about 36,000 people), has integrated
very well in the state.

He expressed satisfaction at the considerable contributions made by the
Vietnamese community to the State’s achievements.

Dung his working visit to Hawaii from March 9-12, Ambassador Phung was briefed
by the State Lieutenant Governor, Brian Schatz, about Hawaii’s preparations for
the Asia – Pacific Cooperation Forum summit, scheduled for November 7-13 this
year in Honolulu.

Ambassador Phung had a working session with senior officers of the United States
Pacific Command (PACOM) at the headquarters in Honolulu.

Ambassador Phung and Admiral Robert Willard discussed the desire of Vietnam and
the U.S. to increase broad bilateral cooperation as well as military relations.

During their constructive conversation, they agreed on the importance of
maintaining a stable and secure maritime common, noting that disagreements over
territorial claims and the appropriate use of the maritime domain appear to be a
growing challenge to regional stability and prosperity.

They addressed how both Vietnam and the US, in addition to other ASEAN members,
ASEAN Regional Forum participants, other maritime nations and the broader
international community, all have national interests in freedom of navigation
with respect for relevant international law.

They held that it was ripe for the two countries to boost greater cooperation,
including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue,
peacekeeping operations, maritime security, exchanges including defence research
institutions, military medicine, as well as high-level dialogues. They also
highlighted Vietnam’s role in ASEAN and the ARF.

During his stay in the newest state of the U.S., Ambassador Phung had working
sessions with senior officials of the East – West Centre, the Asia – Pacific
Centre for Securities Studies and the University of Hawaii . He also met with
members of the Association of Vietnamese Students in Hawaii and attended the
Association members’ participation in Honolulu festivals.

VNN/VOV/VNA