Vietnamese Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc to the US in an interview wit VOV

The 2^nd DPRK-USA summit in Hanoi will close on Thursday with both the US and DPRK making great efforts to achieve peace on the Korean peninsula. The negotiation progress between the two sides has been attributed to Vietnam’s logistical support for the event.  At a meeting with Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump thanked Vietnam for its thorough preparations for the event within a short period of time.

Special catalyst

There were several analyses of Vietnam’s security capabilities, geographic location, and hospitality when discussing its potential for hosting the 2^nd DPRK-USA summit. Other countries in the region were capable of meeting the requirements of the US and the DPRK, but in the end it was Vietnam that was selected. Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc said: "Vietnam is a special catalyst for the negotiations between the US and the DPRK because they both find in Vietnam what they are expecting from the other side. Vietnam is highly symbolic of aspirations for peace and reconciliation, and transformation from confrontation to dialogue, from mistrust to building trust, from former foes to partners. Vietnam inspires the two sides to put aside the past, overcome differences, and look forward to the future.”

International political experts point out that Vietnam has good relations with both the US and DPRK. After the war between Vietnam and the US ended, the two countries established diplomatic ties and became partners. Vietnam and DPRK have nurtured their friendship since the 1950s. President Trump says it’s significant that the summit is in Vietnam because Vietnam is an example of what can happen with good thinking.

Breakthroughs in multilateral diplomacy

Vietnam’s hosting of the summit reflects its efforts to contribute to regional and global security as well as changes in Vietnam’s foreign policy, said Ambassador Ngoc: "Vietnam pursues a foreign policy of being an active and responsible member of the international community. Being responsible means Vietnam joins efforts to find solutions to thorny issues in the region and the world in order to ensure peace and stability. The Party Secretariat’s Directive dated 2018 for improving Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy says Vietnam needs to play a role in lead and conciliating regional and global issues. Vietnam’s hosting the second DPRK-USA summit is a breakthrough in realizing its foreign policy.”