US Secretary of State Antony Blinken offers incense in tribute to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. (Photo: VNA)
Blinken conveyed President Joe Biden's condolences to Man and the family on the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, emphasising that the leaders and officials of the US government, as well as President Biden himself, always regarded General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as a friend and trusted partner. With his vision and under his leadership, the friendship and relations between the two countries were nurtured and developed robustly, reaching the highest level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership today.
Highlighting General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as a model for reconciliation between the two countries and a builder of bridges between their people, Blinken affirmed that President Biden, the US government, and the American people would always remember and honour his legacy with fond memories of his significant contributions to the historical cooperation between the two nations.
President To Lam (R) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (Photo: VNA)
* On the same day, President To Lam hosted a reception for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who came to Vietnam to offer condolences and pay tribute to late General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.
At the reception, Secretary Blinken conveyed US President Joe Biden’s letter of condolences on the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to President To Lam.
In the letter, President Biden reminisced about his first meeting with General Secretary Trong in Washington D.C. in 2015. He expressed his pride in having stood side by side with the General Secretary during his visit to Hanoi in 2023 where they together opened up a new era of cooperation between the two countries.
President Biden called this event a testament to the two countries' shared desire for peace and prosperity for all and that it also reflected General Secretary Trong's determination to elevate the bilateral relations to the highest level, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The US President affirmed that the US will never forget his leadership and fully supports a strong, resilient, and independent Vietnam to which General Secretary Trong dedicated his life.
Secretary Blinken personally expressed his sorrow over the loss of a visionary leader and valued General Secretary Trong's contributions to strengthening and fostering Vietnam-US relations and the friendship between the two countries' people.
President Lam conveyed his heartfelt thanks to President Biden for his kind sentiments and deep condolences over the passing of General Secretary Trong, as well as to Secretary Blinken for travelling to Vietnam to offer condolences to the General Secretary’s family during this sorrowful time.
President To Lam shared that during his lifetime, General Secretary Trong highly valued developing relations with the US and often spoke fondly of President Biden. The historic visit to the US in 2015 by General Secretary Trong provided a strong impetus for the two countries to develop vigorously and become Comprehensive Strategic Partners as they are today.
Secretary Blinken affirmed that the US values its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and looks forward to further deepening this important bilateral relationship.
He expressed confidence that both sides will continue to uphold and nurture the Vietnam-US relations, strengthening the friendship between the two people according to General Secretary Trong’s wishes.
The US Secretary of State noted that the passing of General Secretary Trong is a great loss for the bilateral relations, and he affirmed that the US government and people would always remember and honour General Secretary Trong’s legacy, particularly his efforts to promote reconciliation and build a future of peace, stability, and prosperity for the region and the world
On this occasion, President Lam and Secretary Blinken expressed their pleasure at the positive development in the bilateral relations in recent times across various fields, including politics-diplomacy, economy-trade-investment, security-defense, and war legacy remediation.
President Lam reaffirmed that Vietnam considers the US a top strategic partner and welcomes the US’s continued commitment to supporting a “strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous” Vietnam. He expressed the desire to closely coordinate in fulfilling the commitments of General Secretary Trong and President Biden to deepen and stabilise the new framework of relations.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Hanoi on July 27 evening. (Photo: VNA)
* Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 27 evening received US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
On behalf of President Joe Biden and the US administration, Secretary Blinken extended heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Vietnam for this profound loss.
Secretary Blinken affirmed the US's commitment to further deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam. He expressed satisfaction with the positive results achieved in nearly a year of implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, noting that the active performance of the Vietnam-US Joint Declaration and Action Plan in 2023 has yielded beneficial outcomes for both nations, contributing positively to regional and global peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.
Looking ahead to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, both PM Chinh and Secretary Blinken agreed on the importance of enhancing high-level exchanges and cooperation, particularly in economic, trade, investment, high-tech sectors, and semiconductor collaboration. They emphasised the need to leverage cooperation in training high-quality human resources as a key focus and driving force for bilateral relations.
PM Chinh underscored the necessity of enhancing cooperation in addressing war legacies. Sharing his recent experience of visiting Vietnamese localities and meeting war veterans and their families on War Invalids and Martyrs Day (27/7), he emphasised the enduring impact of war wounds on future generations.
He urged the US to expedite demining, clearing unexploded ordnance, decontaminating dioxin hotspots, and supporting disabled individuals affected by the war. In return, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to fully and effectively cooperate in the search for US servicemen missing in action (MIA).
On international and regional issues of mutual interest, PM Chinh welcomed the US's comprehensive and responsible engagement in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions and the US's continued support for ASEAN's central role as well as ASEAN and Vietnam's principled stance on the East Sea issue.
Secretary Blinken reiterated the US’s support for a strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous Vietnam, its expanded international integration, and its increasingly significant role in ASEAN, the region, and global cooperation in addressing challenges.
Source: VNA
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