Viet Nam proposes priorities to deepen ASEAN-U.S. strategic partnership
VGP - Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung called for stronger and more practical cooperation between ASEAN and the U.S. at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the U.S. in Manila, the Philippines, on July 22, held on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-59) and related meetings.
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung
The minister welcomed the U.S. continued commitment to peace, stability and development in the region and urged both sides to finalize and effectively implement a new comprehensive work program to realize the ASEAN-U.S. Leaders' Joint Vision Statement.
On economic cooperation, Le suggested the two sides promote open, transparent and mutually beneficial trade and investment while expanding collaboration in high-value sectors such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, science and technology, innovation, energy transition and regional energy connectivity.
He also called for continued U.S. support for Mekong sub-regional cooperation, particularly in water resources management, climate change adaptation, sustainable infrastructure development and human resource training.
Regarding regional and international issues, the Vietnamese minister underscored the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability, settling disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, and safeguarding freedom of navigation.
He welcomed continued U.S. support for ASEAN's principled position on the East Sea and called for closer cooperation in promoting an open, inclusive, transparent and rules-based regional architecture with ASEAN at its center.
On the Middle East situation, Le urged all parties to promote dialogue, restore the safety of maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, and ensure freedom of navigation in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The ministers noted that the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continued to expand following the completion of the 2021–2025 Plan of Action. They agreed to finalize a new comprehensive work program and prepare activities to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-U.S. dialogue relations in 2027, including the possibility of holding a commemorative summit.
Addressing the event, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington's support for ASEAN centrality, describing Southeast Asia as one of the world's key growth engines and a region of strategic importance to the U.S.
He said the U.S. would continue supporting ASEAN in strengthening resilient supply chains, advancing the digital economy, enhancing energy security, promoting energy transition, expanding regional power grid connectivity and developing civil nuclear energy cooperation.
The ministers also agreed to deepen cooperation in education, human resource development, healthcare and disaster management, while accelerating projects under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). They pledged to strengthen collaboration in addressing non-traditional security challenges, including terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking and online scams.
ASEAN welcomed continued U.S. engagement in ASEAN-led mechanisms and took note of a proposal to develop an ASEAN-U.S. leaders' statement on 10 public-private principles for combating online scams./.
