Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Phạm Quang Vinh has affirmed Việt Nam’s desire to tighten its comprehensive partnership with the US at recent meetings with elected US officials in Washington DC.— VNA/VNS Photo Đoàn Hùng

WASHINGTON DC – Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Phạm Quang Vinh has affirmed Việt Nam’s desire to tighten its comprehensive partnership with the US at recent meetings with elected US officials in Washington DC.

At his meeting with Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, and Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, ranking member of the House Committee on Armed Services, Vinh informed the hosts of the development of the two countries’ relations in all fields, ranging from politics, economics and investment, to education, tourism and science-technology.

He also conveyed Vietnamese leaders’ wish that the new US administration further increase the comprehensive partnership between the two countries and promote exchanges of high-ranking visits between the two sides, particularly visits by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and US President Donald Trump.

McCain said that he attaches importance to relations with Việt Nam and will do his utmost to boost bilateral ties in all fields, including politics, economics and recovery of war consequences.

Meanwhile, Murphy agreed to promote bilateral dialogue to strengthen co-operation and mutual understanding.

As the first Vietnamese-American woman to be elected to Congress, and the second Vietnamese-American person after Joseph Cao, she affirmed that she will work to aid the overseas Vietnamese community in the US and connect Florida businesses with Vietnamese businesses.

On April 26, Vinh and Ambassadors of other ASEAN member countries met with Congresswoman Ann Wagner and Congressman Joaquin Castro – Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on ASEAN.

Vinh praised the establishment of the congressional caucus, saying that he will contribute to the caucus’s work, especially in holding activities celebrating ASEAN’s 50th founding anniversary and the 40th anniversary of US-ASEAN relations in 2017.

The two congressmen spoke highly of the role of ASEAN and highlighted the importance of the US-ASEAN strategic partnership. In addition, they promised to foster their country’s collaboration with the group in such areas as economy, trade, investment, security, science and technology, education and healthcare. — VNS