Remarks by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the press after talks with the US President

Content of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's speech to the press after talks with US President Joe Biden.

"Dear President Joe Biden,

Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, I warmly welcome President Joe Biden, who has a special affection for the country and people of Vietnam and in different positions has always given valuable support to the development of the Vietnam-US friendship. His visit to Vietnam coincides with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries.

I always keep good memories of the warm welcome of the US Government and the affection of the American people during my visit in July 2015, especially the warm and interesting exchange between me and Mr. Joe Biden during the visit. I also thank Mr. President Joe Biden for sending me a letter of invitation to visit the United States again last June.

In an atmosphere of friendship, equality, understanding and mutual respect, President Joe Biden and I have just had an in-depth and fruitful meeting. Both sides agreed that the Vietnam-US relationship has made strong, profound, substantial and effective progress since the normalization and establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership. On this occasion, on behalf of the Vietnamese people, I would like to send greetings and thanks to the US organizations and individuals who have supported Vietnam and contributed to the development of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

On that basis, for the benefit of the people of the two countries and the desire to strengthen cooperation for the goals of peace , cooperation and sustainable development in the new context, President Joe Biden and I, on behalf of the two countries, adopted a Joint Statement, establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

That partnership continues to be based on full respect for the fundamental principles that have guided the bilateral relationship over the past time, including respect for the United Nations Charter, international law and each other's political institutions, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We also stressed that mutual understanding of each other's circumstances, respect for each other's legitimate interests and non-interference in each other's internal affairs are always important. Vietnam highly appreciates and values the US's affirmation of its support for a "strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous" Vietnam.

The contents of the new partnership inherit the existing cooperation contents between the two countries and bring them to a new level by promoting economic - trade - investment cooperation in the direction of innovation as the foundation, focus and driving force of the bilateral relationship; strengthening scientific - technological cooperation is a new breakthrough of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development. In the coming time, relevant agencies of the two countries will coordinate to implement the agreements reached, creating conditions for the development of the next steps.

Vietnam promotes relations with the United States and other international partners in the spirit that President Ho Chi Minh clearly stated after Vietnam regained independence that Vietnam would be friends with all countries. Regarding the United States, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed Vietnam's complete independence and Vietnam's readiness to fully cooperate with the United States; such independence and cooperation are beneficial to the whole world. We all know that in the years that followed, the Vietnamese people had to undergo countless sacrifices and hardships to protect the independence and unification of the country.

The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam also identified the policy of promoting and deepening bilateral cooperation within the framework of a consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization of foreign relations; Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner and an active, responsible member of the international community.

President Joe Biden and I informed each other about the situation in our two countries and expressed our appreciation for the efforts and positive results achieved in socio-economic development in each country. Regarding complicated situations and international conflicts, Vietnam hopes that the parties will engage in dialogue and resolve them peacefully on the basis of respect for the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

I hope that through this important and meaningful visit, Mr. President, the delegation and all of you will have more opportunities to directly experience the innovative and dynamically developing country of Vietnam, with its long-standing culture and history, and the Vietnamese people who are rich in sentiment, hospitality, friendship and love for peace.

I believe that President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam will be a great success. I wish the President new successes and wish him, the delegation, and your families good health and happiness."

(VTV)

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