Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien on November 21 agreed that Vietnam and the US will continue cooperating in order to cope with common challenges, thus significantly contributing to peace, stability, prosperity and cooperation in the region and the world. 

At areception for O'Brien in Hanoi, PM Phuc said he was happy at the developments inthe Vietnam-US ties, especially at a time when the two countries arecelebrating the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations.

Therelationship has made comprehensive and practical strides forward,significantly contributing to regional and global security, peace, cooperationand development, he said.

He spokehighly of the close and timely cooperation between the two countries inresponse to the COVID-19 pandemic, and thanked the US President and Governmentfor extending sympathies and assistance to help Vietnam deal with floodconsequences in the central region over the past time.

The PM particularlyappreciated the US Congress’s approval of 20 million USD to fund the dioxinremediation project at Bien Hoa airbase during the upcoming fiscal year.

The US’scommitment to supporting Vietnam in war aftermath settlement, such as decontaminatingdioxin hotspots, assisting Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims, clearing bombs andmines, and identifying remains of Vietnamese fallen soldiers, as well asVietnam’s efforts to help with the search for missing-in-action US servicemenhave contributed to enhancing mutual trust and creating a foundation for thebilateral relations to grow further, he said.

TheGovernment leader affirmed Vietnam regards trade cooperation the centre and maindriver of the bilateral ties, adding that the country welcomes and facilitatesthe operation of foreign businesses, including those from the US, in Vietnam, especiallyhi-tech and innovation firms, while creating the best possible conditions forthem to step up connectivity with local partners.

The leadersuggested concerned agencies of the two countries maintain dialogues in aconstructive spirit, and with mutual respect so as to seek solutions todifferences between the two sides in a mutual beneficial manner.

O’Brienspoke highly of Vietnamese enterprises’ increasing import of US goods, addingthat the signing of many big commercial contracts in the fields of energyinfrastructure, oil and gas, industrial equipment, airplane, and IT by businessesof both nations, along with measures taken by the Vietnamese Government, hassignificantly contributed to developing trade ties in a harmonious andsustainable manner.

He tookthe occasion to express his sympathy over the losses in the central region,which was battered with flooding in the past time.

He laudedthe outcomes of his talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister PhamBinh Minh as well as meetings with Minister of Public Security To Lam andDefence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich, reiterating that the US values thecomprehensive partnership with Vietnam based on the principle of respect foreach other’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and politicalinstitutions, as well as mutual benefits.

He addedthe US commits to strengthening the bilateral relation in the coming time.

O’Briencongratulated Vietnam on its successful organisation of the 37th ASEAN Summitand Related Summits in a very challenging year, reiterating the US’s supportfor the ASEAN’s central role in the Southeast Asian region. He said the US wantsto boost the ASEAN-US strategic partnership across economy, security,education, healthcare and science, among others in a more practical andeffective fashion./.