Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi is leading a delegation to visit the US from July 21 at the invitation of the US Department of State.

In Washington DC, Nghi met a number of politicians including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, Thomas Shannon, Counselor to Secretary of State John Kerry, Tony Blinken, Deputy National Security Adviser for President Barack Obama, Patrick Leahy President pro tempore of the Senate and Senator John McCain.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi meets with Patrick Leahy President pro tempore of the US Senate. Photo: Vietnam+

At the meetings with the US high-ranking officials, Hanoi Party Committee Secretary Nghi said that Vietnamese Party and State value and continuously fosters cooperation ties with the US in the spirit of a joint declaration on Vietnam- US comprehensive partnership announced in Washington last July. He also asked the US to further open its market for Vietnamese products, restrict trade barriers, encourage US investment in Vietnam and recognise the country’s market economy status.

Nghi also met with Kenneth Wollack, President of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and Mark Green, President of the International Republican Institute (IRI).

Nghi proposed that the US increase assistance to Vietnam in dealing with was aftermath, including dioxin remediation, support for dioxin victims, bomb and mine clearance, and search for personnel missing in action (MIA).

Vietnam applauds the US’s strengthening of cooperation with Asia-Pacific for peace, stability and prosperity in the region, Nghi added.

The Hanoi leader also spoke highly of contributions by congress people to the development of bilateral ties as well as the relations between the two countries’ legislatures and cooperation between localities.

The US officials said the US attaches great importance to Asia- Pacific in its overall strategy, and vowed to accelerate negotiations of the Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement to end the process this year. They pledged to provide technical assistance for Vietnam to improve its capacity and flexibility in meeting TPP commitments.

US senators spoke highly of Vietnam’s leading role in resolving regional issues and said the US Congress supports the government in promoting relations with Vietnam.

US officials expressed their concern over recent tensions in the East Sea after China illegally placed its oil platform Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. They said the US had its interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia- Pacific region, including freedom, safety and security of navigation in the East Sea. They appreciated Vietnam’s recent efforts to prevent confrontations and disputes in the region

Nghi is scheduled to leave Washington Dc for New York on July 23, continuing his working visit to the US.

Source: VNA