Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Sonand US Ambassador Marc Knapper reviewed and noted with pleasure the positive development of theVietnam-US comprehensive partnership during their meeting in Hanoi on March 23.

Leaders of the two countries have maintained visitsand meetings, they said, adding that the two sides have also enhanced cooperationin such areas as economy-trade, COVID-19 prevention and control, climate changeresponse and the settlement of war consequences.

Son expressed his hope that the ambassador will make morecontributions to the comprehensive partnership in an effective and practicalway, and work with the Vietnamese side to push for visits by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders thisyear, as well as the exchange of delegations and meetings at all levels andchannels, including the Party, National Assembly and people-to-peoplediplomacy.

The minister also asked for the diplomat’s closecoordination with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to strengthencollaboration in important and priority spheres like post-pandemic economicrecovery and growth, improving the resilience of supply chains, building high-qualityinfrastructure, green and sustainable development, and personneltraining.

In reply, Knapper expressed his impression on Vietnam’s great development over the past years, and spoke highly of the important results of thecomprehensive partnership.

The US supports an independent, strong and prosperous Vietnam, he said, stressing that the US hopes to elevate its relationshipwith the Southeast Asian nation to a new height.

The diplomat pledged to coordinate closely withVietnamese ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to foster the exchange of high-level visits in 2022 and boost cooperation between the twocountries across fields, from trade to national defence-security, health care,climate change response and energy transition.

Regarding the Ukraine issue, Son reiterated Vietnam’s consistentstance that international disputes and differences should be addressed via peaceful measures in accordance with the basic principles of the United NationsCharter and international law, especially those on respecting independence,sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.

The minister highlighted the need to ensure safety forcivilians, including Vietnamese in Ukraine, to evacuate from battle zones.

For regional matters, the two officials emphasised the significanceof observing international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention onthe Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and agreed to continue close coordination atregional cooperation frameworks, particularly the mechanisms of the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Mekong sub-region./.