Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and ForeignMinister Pham Binh Minh on November 21 held talks with US National SecurityAdvisor Robert O’Brien, who is on a Vietnam visit from November 20-22 on theoccasion of the 25th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic ties.

At the meeting, both sides agreed the bilateral relations aredeveloping more strongly than ever, and affirmed that the two countries attachmuch importance to their comprehensive partnership based on mutual respect foreach other’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and politicalinstitutions, as well as mutual benefits.

Deputy PM Minh expressed his belief in the prospect for comprehensivedevelopment of the bilateral ties, from politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, security-defenceto people-to-people exchange. 

He spoke highly of the flexible organization of activities tocelebrate the anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,including the maintenance of contact and exchange of greetings between high-rankingleaders. He thanked the US government and Department of State for theirpractical and timely support for Vietnam in responding to COVID-19 and addressconsequences from recent flooding in the central region.

O’Brien affirmed that the US supports a strong, independentand prosperous Vietnam, which plays an increasingly important role in theregion.

The US commits to maintaining stable relations and continuingcooperation with Vietnam to develop the bilateral ties in a practical, intensive,effective and sustainable manner, contributing to regional and global security,peace, cooperation and development.

The two sides discussed measures to deepen the bilateral tiesin the time ahead, with priority given to the early resumption of regular delegationexchange, joint work in humanitarian support and settlement of warconsequences, and continued facilitation of trade and investment ties based onmutual benefits.

Minh welcomed the effective implementation of an action plantowards sustainable and harmonious trade balance between the two nations,laying stress on the potential for energy cooperation in the bilateral economicties.  

Vietnam pledges to create favourable business climate forforeign firms, including those from the US, to successfully operate in theSoutheast Asian country, he added.

Meanwhile, O’Brien spoke highly of the VietnameseGovernment’s measures to promote sustainable and harmonious trade ties with theUS, and welcomed the signing of many trade agreements between businesses ofboth nations in the past time. He affirmed support for continued dialogues andconsultations to build a stable trade relation between the two countries.

Touching on security-defence field, Minh lauded cooperationbetween competent authorities of the two nations, including maintaining bilateraldialogue mechanisms, and increasing collaboration in search and rescue work andhumanitarian support. 

Minh and O’Brien said they were glad to see both nations’efforts to surmount war consequences, making contributions to building mutualtrust.

Minh affirmed Vietnam and other ASEAN member states willcontinue support and coordinate with the US and other nations to maintainpeace, security, stability, and rules-based order in the region and the wholeworld. 

He asked the US to continue backing the ASEAN’s central role,promoting the ASEAN-US strategic partnership, and the Mekong-US partnership.

O’Brien hoped both sides will enhance coordination in handlingcommon challenges, contributing to regional and global peace, stability,security and development./.