rime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh’s article entitled “20 years of Vietnam-US relations: short journey, great stride”.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh underlined great achievements the two countries have obtained in the last twenty years, which go beyond impressive figures in economics, trade and investment. The two countries have step by step overcome skepticism and disagreement to constantly deepen political ties and mutual understanding. Since 2000, Vietnam and the US have exchanged six high-level visits, during which their leaders adopted four Joint Statements in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2013. In particular, under the Joint Statement between President Truong Tan Sang and President Barack Obama, the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Partnership was defined to cover nine areas of cooperation, thus opening up a new chapter of relations with added substance.

Leaving the past behind and looking to the future while respecting differences
It is not easy to shelf the past, especially one deeply engraved with scars of war. Yet, with a forward-looking mindset, Vietnam and the US have been making great efforts to move beyond the past and together shape the future. With the spirit of benevolence and humanity, Vietnam has been working actively with the US in searching for missing soldiers. To date, approximately 950 sets of the remains of fallen American soldiers have been recovered, 700 of which have been identified. The U.S has also provided over 300 dossiers to help retrieve the remains of more than 1,000 Vietnamese soldiers. It also provided 100 million USD for dioxin clean-up in Da Nang and 80 million USD for the removal of unexploded ordinance. Although much remains to be done, the efforts made by both sides have significantly contributed to healing the wounds of war, promoting reconciliation, and building trust between the two nations. Obviously, disagreements and differences still remain between Vietnam and the US, particularly on the issues of democracy and human rights. What is important is that both sides have clearly shown respect for differences and engaged in candid and open dialogues to narrow disagreements and foster cooperation. To date, 19 human rights dialogues have been conducted and both Vietnam and the US are currently members of the UN Human Rights Council.

Vietnam and the United States in the "Asia Century"

Beyond the bilateral sphere, Vietnam - US relations have made increasingly important contributions to peace, cooperation and development in Asia-Pacific and worldwide. From the arrangements with ASEAN centrality such as the EAS, ARF, ADMM+ to larger forums such as APEC and the UN, Vietnam and the US are working closely together on various issues, ranging from the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, climate change response, water security to UN peace-keeping operations. With the ASEAN Community coming into being later this year, both sides are moving towards an ASEAN-US Strategic Partnership.

A shared vision for the road ahead

In his letter to President Harry Truman dated February 16^th, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh articulated Vietnam's goal for "full independence and full cooperation with the US". He stressed that Vietnam "will do our best to make this independence and cooperation profitable to the whole world." The world we live in today is moving so fast that Vietnam and the US are not allowed to miss any opportunities as in the past. 

The past 20 years of Vietnam - US relations, especially since the announcement of Comprehensive Partnership in July 2013, have shown that peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific would be better secured when Vietnam - US relations progress, and the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the US are in line with the shared interests of all countries in the region.

At the end of his article, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh wrote the history of relations between Vietnam and the US is full of vicissitudes. Nevertheless, the tremendous progress of bilateral ties over the past 20 years has proven that Vietnam and the US have no choice but to promote an equal and mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of respect for each other's political regime, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the UN Charter and international law. Dialogue must prevail over confrontation. It is the only way for both countries to overcome the past and work together for a brighter future of each nation, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.