Clinton vows closer ties with Vietnam
Washington - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton pledged Thursday to build closer ties with Vietnam and expand trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Meeting with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem at the State Department, Clinton said the United States was committed to a stronger relationship with Southeast Asian nations and working closely on vital security issues.
"We believe that this is a region vital to global progress, prosperity and peace, and we are fully engaged ... on a wide range of challenges," Clinton said.
Clinton noted that it has been 14 years since the United States and Vietnam normalized relations and the two countries have been quick to seize on their new economic ties.
"We can be proud of the progress we have made," she said.
Khiem said Vietnam wants to further build on the economic strength of the relationship to enhance education, technology, defence and security ties.
