U.S. Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Robert C. O’Brien’s Visit to Vietnam
November 20-22, 2020
READOUT
U.S. Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA) Robert C. O’Brien visited Hanoi November 20-22 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations and to highlight our joint efforts to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific region. During his visit, APNSA O’Brien met with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh, Minister of Defense General Ngô Xuân Lịch, and Minister of Public Security General Tô Lâm. In each of these engagements, APNSA O’Brien reaffirmed U.S. support for a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam that contributes to international security and respects the rule of law.
APNSA O’Brien noted throughout his meetings that the U.S.-Vietnam relationship is better than it has ever been. He offered condolences for the recent floods in Central Vietnam, assuring Vietnamese leaders of continued U.S. support, as demonstrated by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) $2.34 million in assistance in response to these natural disasters. APNSA O’Brien welcomed the recent release of American Citizen Michael Nguyen on humanitarian grounds. He also discussed with Vietnamese leaders our intent to launch a new U.S.-Vietnam dialogue on international law enforcement.
While in Hanoi, APNSA O’Brien announced that USAID has contributed an additional $20 million toward dioxin remediation at the Bien Hoa Airbase Area, the primary Agent Orange storage and handling site during the U.S.-Vietnam War and the largest remaining dioxin hotspot in Vietnam. This announcement increases USAID’s Bien Hoa funding to date to over $110 million.
Additionally, APNSA O’Brien and Kimberly Reed, President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, witnessed the signing of the Long Son LNG-to-power project carried out by representatives from General Electric, GENCO3, Pacific Corporation, PECC 2, Mitsubishi, and TTC Group. This project, which will include approximately $1 billion in GE equipment, services, and equity, will bring 1500 megawatts of clean and reliable power to Vietnam, strengthening Vietnam’s energy security and supporting its economic development.
For the visit photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/160535614@N06/albums
