The Vietnamese Embassy in the US and the Forum on Southeast Asia jointly held the second Vietnam Forum in the US on May 10.
Attending the forum, themed ‘the US-ASEAN relationship – the next step’, included ambassadors and diplomats from all ten ASEAN countries, Australia and the US as well as academics, researchers and representatives of non-governmental organisations based in Washington .
At the event, Nirav Patel, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Strategy and Multilateral Affairs at the US Department of State, delivered a speech on the Barack Obama administration’s foreign policy towards the Asia-Pacific region in general and ASEAN in particular. He said that the US has been making a lot of effort to boost cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries, not only in politics and security but also in economics, trade and investment.
This strategy focuses on cooperation with ASEAN because of the organisation’s role and geo-political position, he said, adding that the US supports ASEAN’s central role and will work closely with the bloc to ensure security, peace, development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Vietnam ’s Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Cuong applauded the US government’s commitment to contributing to regional peace, stability and development. He added that he hopes the US will initiate proactive measures and take steps to promote the relationship.
