Washington D.C. (VNA) – A delegation from theParty Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education led by itsstanding deputy head Lai Xuan Mon paid a working trip to the US from September14-17.

At a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State Bill Russo,Mon noted that the two sides have witnessed a special event of US President JoeBiden’s visit to Vietnam, during which leaders of the two countries adopted ajoint statement on the elevation of the Vietnam-US relations to a comprehensivestrategic partnership.

The official affirmed that Vietnam considers the US animportant strategic partner and hopes to further expand partnership with policy planningand management agencies of the US in the fields of culture, education andexternal relations information as well as the application of science andtechnology and innovation, and other areas.

For his part, Russo said the US wants to foster cooperationwith Vietnam through the exchanges of delegations at all levels in externalrelations and people-to-people exchange channels, and concretise collaborationactivities included in the joint statement adopted by leaders of the two sides.

At a working session with Joe Sims, Co-Chair of the Communist Party of theUnited States of America (CPUSA), Mon underlined that his visit aims to affirmVietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisationand diversification of foreign relations, active and proactive international integration; and foster friendship and cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam(CPV) and political parties of the US, including the CPUSA.

The Vietnamese official briefed the host about the situationof Vietnam in recent years, and gave a number of proposals on strengtheningcooperation between the two parties, including increasing information sharingand fostering coordination at forums for political parties, especially the InternationalMeeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP).

Sims highly valued the role of the CPV and congratulatedVietnam on the political, socio-economic achievements that the country hasgained, especially amid fluctuations and challenges in the world situation. Helauded Vietnam and the US’s efforts to deepen their diplomatic and economicties, especially after the two sides lifted up their relations to acomprehensive strategic partnership.

At a working session with Merle Ratner, an activist of theleft-wing movement in the US and a long-time, close friend of Vietnam, Mon saidthat his visit provides a chance for Vietnam to meet and show gratitude to closefriends who worked whole-heartedly to support Vietnam during the upsand downs of the history.

Vietnam always treasures the priceless solidarity, supportand help that US communists and progressive people have given to Vietnam during its cause of national construction and defence, especially fromlong-time friends like Ratner.

The official expressed his hope that those like Ratner andher spouse Prof. Ngo Thanh Nhan will continue to spread stories about Vietnam,so that more international friends, especially the youth, will support Vietnamand the leadership of the CPV.

During his stay in the US, Mon also visited the VietnameseEmbassy in the US and the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN./.