Party and State leaders host U.S. Secretary of Defence

VGP - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives U.S. Secretary of Defence James Mattis, Ha Noi, January 25, 2018

Meeting with the Vietnamese Party chief, Secretary Mattis informed of practical and efficient cooperative areas between the two countries, especially in UN peace keeping operations, military medicine training, East Sea security and law enforcement. He said the U.S. respects and wishes to step up wide-ranging cooperation in multiple areas with Viet Nam. 

Mattis glowingly spoke of Viet Nam’s socio-economic development achievements as well as the country’s increasing regional and international position and role.

Trong appreciated the outcomes of Mattis’s talks with Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich, and showed his satisfaction with positive development in the two countries’ all-around cooperation.

Party leader Trong reiterated Viet Nam’s consistent policy of respecting the development of bilateral ties with the U.S. for mutual long term benefit and peace, stability and development. He called for more cooperation in overcoming war aftermaths and deepening mutual trust to develop a bilateral comprehensive partnership.

At the meeting with the U.S. defense leader, President Quang said Viet Nam respects the comprehensive partnership with the U.S., considering it one of top partners and wishes to promote the relationship on the basis of mutual respect for each other’s independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions. 

He welcomed the U.S. commitment to long-term cooperation for regional peace, stability, cooperation and development and pledged Viet Nam’s full and effective support for the U.S. in searching for U.S. servicemen missing in action.

President Quang asked the U.S. to work hand in hand with Viet Nam in undertaking a dioxin decontamination project at Bien Hoa airport, to deliver the next Hamilton-class patrol vessel to Viet Nam next year, and to support Viet Nam in launching a level-2 field hospital to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan in 2018.

He suggested the two sides continue consulting and coordinating closely with each other at multilateral forums, especially those chaired by the ASEAN.

The State leader called for joint implementation of a project on dioxin detoxification in Bien Hoa airport, continued transfer of Hamilton-class cutter to Viet Nam in 2019, and joint organization of a U.S. aircraft carrier visit in March.

President Tran Dai Quang receives U.S. Secretary of Defence James Mattis, Ha Noi, January 25, 2018

In reply, Defense Secretary Mattis said the U.S. respects its comprehensive partnership with Viet Nam and strives to promote cooperation across areas, especially searching for information about Vietnamese soldiers missing in the war and support for dioxin detoxification in Bien Hoa airport.

The U.S. places great importance on the comprehensive partnership with Viet Nam and will work with Viet Nam in augmenting cooperation in all fields, Mattis said.

Concerning the growing defence cooperation between the two countries, he said that the U.S. is working hard together with Viet Nam to deal with war aftermaths such as dioxin decontamination and searching for missing U.S. servicemen.

Regarding regional and international issues, Mattis affirmed that his nation will support Viet Nam’s active role in the ASEAN as well as multilateral forums within the ASEAN framework.

The U.S. will continue backing Viet Nam and regional countries in observing the rights to freedom of navigation and aviation in line with international law for common prosperity, he added. -VOV