Positive outcomes in the Vietnam-US relations will create a foundation for the two countries to elevate their ties to a new height, for the sake of their people, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on April 15.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Photo: VNA)

The Party chief stressed that the official visit to Vietnam, the first by Blinken in his capacity as US Secretary of State, is of significance as it takes place on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the bilateral comprehensive partnership.

He spoke highly of results of the US official’s working sessions in Vietnam, as well as the strong, comprehensive development of the bilateral relations, saying the important foundations for the development lie with the respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions of each other, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

The host also highly valued outcomes of his phone talks with President Joe Biden on March 29, during which they compared notes on major orientations for the Vietnam-US relations, particularly high-level meetings and exchanges in order to enhance mutual understanding and expand cooperation in trade-investment, science-technology, education-training and others.

For his part, Blinken conveyed wishes and regards of President Joe Biden to the Vietnamese Party leader, and stressed that the US also highly values the success of the phone talks.

He highlighted the comprehensive, substantive development of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership over the past years, saying the US commits to enhancing cooperation with Vietnam across spheres, especially in trade-investment, science-technology, education-training and climate change response.

The Secretary of State reiterated that the US attaches importance to its relationship with Vietnam, and wishes to advance it to a new level.

He also affirmed the US’s support for ASEAN’s centrality, and its hope for the acceleration of the handling of issues of shared concern through ASEAN mechanisms and frameworks.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on April 15 (Photo: VNA)

* The same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave a reception for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Vietnam considers the United States one of its leading important partners and wishes to promote the comprehensive partnership with the US on the basis of respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institution, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the reception.

Chinh suggested the two sides increase the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels. He proposed the US help Vietnam to promote cooperation in overcoming war aftermath, and continue to support cooperation between the two countries in important fields such as trade - investment, science - technology, education - training, defence - security as well as in such new areas as digital economy, green transition, circular economy, innovation, climate change response and infrastructure development.

The PM emphasised that the two sides need to continue efforts in promoting harmonious and sustainable trade exchange, suggesting that the US restrict the imposition of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties and other unnecessary measures on Vietnam's exports, especially agricultural products and furniture, which directly affect people's employment and livelihoods.

He called on the US to create favourable conditions for the community of 2.2 million Vietnamese living in the US to continue integrating into, complying with the host’s law, contributing to the development of the two countries' relations.

For his part, Blinken expressed his pleasure to return to Vietnam after more than six years and conveyed wishes and regards of President Biden to high-ranking Vietnamese leaders. He affirmed that the US attaches importance to the relations with Vietnam on the principle of respecting each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, and supports a strong, independent, self-resilient and prosperous Vietnam.

The US diplomat agreed that there is still ample room for cooperation between two sides and it is necessary to continue boosting the bilateral ties on the principles agreed by their high-ranking leaders. He also committed to continuing to fostering the Vietnam-US relations.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Photo: VNA)

* Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared the view that Vietnam and the US should continue with their cooperation and promote the bilateral ties on the basis of the principles agreed by their high-ranking leaders, during their talks in Hanoi on April 15.

They reviewed positive developments in the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership over the past time, with two-way trade growing impressively, hitting 123 billion USD last year.

Both highlighted collaboration in the COVID-19 combat, as well as the efficiency of cooperation projects on addressing war legacies, notably the one on dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa Airport, along with the increasing number of Vietnamese students in the US.

Vietnam always considers the US a leading important partner and wishes to enhance the comprehensive partnership on the basis of mutual benefits, and respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions of each other, Son said.

The FM suggested the two sides step up all-level delegation exchanges and contacts this year which marks the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive partnership, and deepen the bilateral relations practically, for mutual benefits, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

Blinken affirmed the importance the US attaches to the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, and commended Vietnam’s dynamic development, role and position in the region.

He stressed the US’s commitment to respecting political institutions, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Vietnam, and supporting a strong, independent, self-resilient and prosperous Vietnam.

The US will set aside more resources and budget to help Vietnam settle war consequences, and further bilateral cooperation in important fields such as trade-investment, science-technology, digital transformation, green transition, and high-quality personnel training in serve of the country’s development, he noted.

The two sides also compared notes on regional and international issues of shared concern.

Son suggested the US continue its active role to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia-Pacific, Indian Ocean and the world as well.

Blinken said the US backs ASEAN’s centrality in the region, and will work harder to promote cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN-US comprehensive strategic partnership.

The US also supports the Mekong-US partnership, climate efforts and UN peacekeeping operations, he continued.

Regarding the East Sea issue, they agreed on the importance of peace, security, stability and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters, addressing disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC)./.

Q.Hoa t.h / VNA