US considered one of Vietnam’s leading

important partners

Vietnam regards the US one of its leading important partners and aspires
strengthen 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 made the statement during a reception for US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 15 in Hanoi.

During the meeting, the Vietnamese cabinet leader reiterated Vietnam’s unwavering
foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and
development, diversification and multilateralisation of relations, active international
integration; and being a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the
international community. The nation does not choose a side, but chooses
justice and fairness.

Chinh welcomed Blinken's current visit, saying this trip, along with contacts and
exchanges between the two countries in the past time, especially the very successful high-
level phone talks between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President
Joe Biden on March 29, is vivid evidence for the development of bilateral relations. The
PM used the occasion to extend his wishes and regards to President Biden and other US
leaders.

To further deepen and develop the bilateral ties, the Vietnamese Government chief
suggested the two sides intensify the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels.
He proposed the US help Vietnam to boost 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.

He emphasised that the two sides need to step up 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.

Chinh called on the US to offer 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 both nations' relations.
In response, 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 his nation places importance on its 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 remains ample room for broader cooperation between
two sides and it is necessary to continue bolstering the bilateral ties on the principles
agreed by their high-ranking leaders. He also committed to continuing to fostering the
Vietnam-US relations.

At the reception, the two sides reviewed the tremendous achievements in their relations,
saying that the Vietnam-US relationship has made steps of comprehensive, increasingly
stable, substantive and in-depth development, bringing about practical benefits to both
countries as well as contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the
region and in the world at large.

The Vietnamese PM sincerely thanked the US for donating COVID-19 vaccines to

Vietnam and the US diplomat thanked Vietnam for providing medical equipment and
supplies to the US in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Host and guest showed their elation at the fact that the two countries had reached an
agreement on upgrading the headquarters of the diplomatic and consular missions of the
two sides.

The PM congratulated the US side on the ground-breaking ceremony of the

construction of the new US Embassy campus in Hanoi.

The leaders shared their views on regional and international issues of common concern.
PM Chinh welcomed the US to continue to play an active role, contributing to
maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific and Indian
Ocean as well as in the world.

He asked the US to go ahead with cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN-US
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Mekong-US Partnership, while ensuring
security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, climate change
response and UN peacekeeping operations.

The US diplomat affirmed that the US will continue to boost ties with the region, support
the central role of ASEAN, and look forward to further ramping up cooperation and
support for Mekong sub-region countries in responding to non-traditional security
challenges.