Receiving US Secretary of State John Kerry on December 16 in Ha Noi, the Party chief affirmed that Viet Nam considers the US an important partner.

The leader underscored Viet Nam’s consistent external policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development in a direction of multilateralisation, diversification and international integration.

He proposed that the US boost cooperation with Viet Nam in existing frameworks as well as different realms from economics, trade and investment to science and technology, education and training, healthcare, environmental protection and climate change response.

He said he hopes the US will remove trade barriers and strengthen investment to Viet Nam.

Recognising the efforts that the US has made to help Viet Nam overcome war aftermaths, General Secretary Trong said he hopes the US side will continue working positively to deal with issues related to Agent Orange/Dioxin, bomb and mine clearance and the search for Vietnamese soldiers who went missing during the war.

He also praised Kerry’s active role in the process of normalising relations between Viet Nam and the US during the past years, as well as the enhancement of friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding between the two nations.

In reply, Kerry valued Viet Nam’s rising position and role in the region and the world. He affirmed that the US Government hopes to further strengthen all-around cooperation with Viet Nam and implement the bilateral comprehensive partnership set up recently.

He said he hopes the two sides will do their utmost to boost connections in economics, trade, education and training, and science and technology.

The US official also underscored the significance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership that involves both countries, saying that the two sides should exert efforts to conclude negotiations soon for the benefit of both nations.

The US wishes to cooperate with Viet Nam in protecting and preserving important ecosystems in the Mekong Delta region, he said.

Kerry also thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their cooperation and help in issues related to US soldiers missing in action. He pledged to continue his efforts to make further contributions to the acceleration of Viet Nam-US ties.

During the meeting, General Secretary Trong and the US Secretary of State also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the utilisation of multilateral cooperation mechanisms and the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.

The two sides also agreed on the significance of enhancing coordination at international and regional forums.