Leaders across the world have conveyed their congratulations to Vietnam ahead of its 68 th National Day on September 2.
US Secretary of State John Kerry was among those to offer warm words.
In a press statement issued on August 30, he wrote: “On behalf of
President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the
people of Vietnam as you celebrate your National Day.”
Kerry,
who served as a naval officer during the American War in Vietnam, went
on to say that he has strong memories of arriving in Hanoi in 1991 on
his first trip to the country as a civilian. He found a country that
“had moved past war and division and was eager to engage with the
world.”
He wrote that it has been moving and rewarding to be a
partner to the Vietnamese people as America reengaged with its former
enemies. He remarked that reconciliation does not come easily but is
worth the investment of energy and goodwill.
The statement
touched upon President Sang’s recent visit to Washington, which Kerry
said and celebrated the progress the two nations have made together in
the 18 years since they normalised diplomatic relations.
The
Secretary pledged that in the coming year, Vietnam and the US will work
to expand cooperation on education and strengthen people-to-people
exchanges. Both countries will deepen dialogue on trade, health, human
rights and environmental challenges as they carry forward their
bilateral strategic relationship based on common desire for peace and
stability throughout the Asia-Pacific.
The message
concluded by saying: “On this festive occasion, we celebrate our shared
journey from conflict to friendship. Thanks to you, together we’ve
accomplished what at times seemed impossible. May you enjoy peace, good
health and prosperity in the coming year.”
The same day, numerous international friends attended a ceremony to mark Vietnam’s National Day in Berlin.
Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Thi
Hoang Anh made it clear that Vietnam-Germany relations have fared well
since the two nations lifted their bilateral ties to a strategic
partnership level.
German Secretary of State for External
Relations, Cornolia Piepe, said bilateral trade ties are growing
dynamically and Germany continues upholding its role as Vietnam’s top
trading partner in the European Union.
Similar events also took place in Sri Lanka and Singapore.-VNA