President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) is welcomed at J.F. Kennedy airport (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - President Nguyen Xuan Phuc received left-wing friendsfrom the US in New York on September 21 afternoon (local time), as part of his trip to the country to attend the high-level general debate of the UnitedNations General Assembly’s 76th session (UNGA 76).

Phuc stated that the positive and continuous development ofthe Vietnam - US relations over the past time is importantly attributable to the contributions of left-wing forces and progressive Americans.

Vietnam appreciates the practical and valuable support of US leftists in the process of overcoming post-war consequences, and for thebilateral relations, thus bringing about substantive benefits to the twocountries and peoples, and contributing to peace, stability, security andprosperity in the Asia-Pacific region in general and Southeast Asia inparticular.

The President affirmed that under the Communist Party of Vietnam’s sound foreignpolicy, Vietnam has enjoyed good relations with countries around the worlddespite different political regimes.

He expressed his wish that American friends continue to support the friendship and cooperation between the twocountries and peoples.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives a delegation of US friends, led by Merle Ratner, Coordinator of the US-based Vietnam Agent Orange (AO) Relief and Responsibility Campaign (Photo: VNA)

Earlier, President Phuc had a meetingwith a delegation of US friends, led by Merle Ratner, Coordinator of theUS-based Vietnam Agent Orange (AO) Relief and Responsibility Campaign, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary in commemoration of the Agent Orange disaster in Vietnam,.

He affirmed that after more than 25 years of normalisation,the bilateral Vietnam-US relationship has developed effectively, sustainably and mutuallybeneficially, based on the principle of respecting each other’s independence,sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions. He spoke highlyof the US’s commitment to and support for addressing post-war consequences in Vietnam, thus contributing to the process of building trust with tireless effortsfrom both sides

The Vietnamese leader showed his hope that US friends willcontinue to support the bilateral friendship and cooperation, especially indealing with the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin.

Merle R🧸atner affirmed that she has worked for many years tocanvass the US Government to fulfill its responsibility to dioxin victims inVietnam by supporting them in all aspects, from health care to vocational tra👍iningand dioxin detoxification.