Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirmed that Vietnam always regards the US as a partner of strategic importance at his reception for US Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper in Hanoi on August 15.

The chief legislator used this occasion to thank the US for sending condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State and people over the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. US President Joe Biden sent a letter of condolences and assigned Secretary of State Antony Blinken to come to Vietnam to pay respects to late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

He appreciated the ambassador’s understanding about Vietnam and its people, as well as his contributions to enhancing the bilateral relations, including the preparation for the state visit to Vietnam by President Joe Biden in September 2023.

Man noted his hope that Knapper will pay more attention to the implementation of agreements reached by the two countries, contributing to promoting the Vietnam-US ties.

The leader also welcomed the US’s continued commitment to supporting a strong, independent, self-resilient and prosperous Vietnam.

Since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023, the two countries’ relevant agencies have coordinated in implementing the new framework, he said, adding that the two sides have stepped up all-level delegation exchanges and recorded positive results.

The two-way trade reached nearly 111 billion USD last year, and over 66.1 billion USD in the first seven months of this year, Man said.

The two countries’ legislators have also maintained delegation exchanges, and cooperation in law making and supervision, the NA leader revealed.

He suggested the two sides work harder to effectively materialise the Vietnam-US joint statement and action plan towards the 30th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025.

Man held that ample room remains for the two countries to foster their cooperation, and suggested them raise the bilateral trade revenue, and intensify investment promotion in science-technology, education-training, and health care.

The two legislatures should deepen their cooperation to exchange experience in law making and supervision over the implementation of collaboration agreements, he said.

The NA Chairman said he hopes that the ambassador will urge US agencies consider and soon recognise Vietnam’s market economy status, and remove Vietnam from the list of countries for export restrictions on high technologies, support the Southeast Asian nation at major important forums like the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and increase funding for dioxin remediation, bomb and mine clearance, aid to persons with disabilities, and search and identification of Vietnamese martyrs.

For his part, Knapper stressed the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a huge loss to not only Vietnam, but also the Vietnam-US relations, and affirmed that the US will continue its close coordination with Party General Secretary and President To Lam and other leaders of Vietnam.

He said legislative cooperation remains an important pillar of the bilateral relations, and thanked the Vietnamese NA and its agencies for their support in strengthening the bilateral ties, and promoting understanding between Vietnamese and US legislators.

"I hear clearly your concerns about non-market economy (NME) and export con🐲trols. We'll continue our discussion with relevant ministries and agencies in a positive orientation," the amb𝔍assador said./.