Vietnam, US expand strategic dialogue in Hanoi meetings
Vietnam and the United States moved to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during high-level meetings in Hanoi, as senior leaders from both sides reaffirmed commitments to broader strategic, political and defense cooperation.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to expanding strategic cooperation during a visit to Hanoi by US Assistant Secretary of State Michael George DeSombre.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and US Assistant Secretary of State Michael George DeSombre in Hanoi on February 13. Photo: VNA
At the Vietnamese Party Central Committee's headquarters in Hanoi on February 13, General Secretary To Lam met Michael George DeSombre when the two sides sought to advance the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
They discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues, with DeSombre conveying congratulations from President Donald Trump on To Lam’s re-election as Party chief and on the success of the 14th National Party Congress.
The general secretary said the congress marked a new phase in Vietnam’s development and thanked President Trump for his message.
He reaffirmed that Vietnam regards the United States as one of its most important partners and is ready to expand cooperation across sectors for mutual benefit and for regional and global stability.
He reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and diversified international relations.
DeSombre said Washington values its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and supports a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam.
He called for deeper strategic cooperation both bilaterally and on regional and global issues and pledged to further promote substantive progress in ties.
Minister of National Defense Gen. Phan Van Giang and DeSombre in Hanoi on February 13. Photo: QDND
On the same day, Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang met DeSombre at the Ministry of National Defense to discuss strengthening cooperation, particularly in defense.
Giang said Vietnam considers the United States an important partner, especially in economic and trade ties, and called for cooperation based on equality, mutual benefit and respect for international law and sovereignty.
He noted growing defense cooperation in high-level exchanges, dialogue mechanisms, war legacy remediation, training, United Nations peacekeeping and service-to-service ties.
The minister thanked the United States for support in addressing war legacies, including unexploded ordnance clearance, dioxin remediation and efforts to account for missing Vietnamese soldiers.
He urged continued implementation of agreed projects, including an additional $130 million for dioxin cleanup at Bien Hoa airport.
Giang said Vietnam would continue facilitating efforts to locate US personnel missing in action, while calling on Washington to share more information related to Vietnamese soldiers missing from the war.
DeSombre welcomed progress in bilateral and defense ties and reaffirmed continued US support for war legacy cooperation and efforts to account for missing personnel, as part of broader efforts to deepen strategic relations.
