US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has congratulated Vietnam on its National Day (September 2) and expressed her belief in the stronger strategic relationship between the two countries in future.

In her congratulatory message, Clinton recalled her third visit to Hanoi in July 2012 as Secretary of State, marking progress in bilateral relations since the US and Vietnam normalised diplomatic ties in 1995.

 

 Hillary Clinton was received by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during her July 2012 visit to Hanoi

 She noted that two-way trade between the US and Vietnam has grown and flourished from almost nothing in 1995 to nearly US$22 billion annually and that the upward trend will continue in the coming years.

In her words, bilateral cooperation has expanded in various areas, including maritime security, public health, disaster relief, and education.The Fulbright programme alone, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, has sent many Vietnamese student and officials to the US for study.The number of Vietnamese students studying at US universities and colleges has also increased significantly over the years, reaching nearly 15,000 at present, which helps promote mutual understanding between the two nations.

According to the diplomat, both countries will continue increasing people-to-people exchanges and expanding cooperation in trade, health and environmental challenges.

“We are committed to strengthening the strategic relationship between our countries based on mutual respect and our common desire to foster peace and stability throughout the Asia-Pacific,” said Clinton.

(VOV)