Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam always attaches muchimportance to its comprehensive partnership with the US, Deputy Prime Ministerand Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said on October 30.

Holding talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is on an official visitto Vietnam from October 29-30, the Vietnamese diplomat expressed his delightover the fruitful development of ties, from politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, andsecurity-defence, to people-to-people exchange.

Minh lauded activities held by both countries to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations, in the context of the quagmire caused byCOVID-19.

He also took the occasion to thank the US Government and the Department ofState for giving Vietnam timely support to respond to the outbreak as well as therecent flooding in the central region.

Pompeo, for his part, spoke highly of the two countries’ efforts to enhancetheir comprehensive partnership based on respect of each other’s independence,sovereignty, and territorial integrity and political institutions.

The US backs a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam that plays anincreasing role in the region, he affirmed, pledging to maintain stable relationsand continue cooperation with the Southeast Asian country to develop bilateralties in a more practical, reliable, effective, and sustainable manner,contributing to security, peace, cooperation, and development in the region andthe world.

The two sides also exchanged views on measures to deepen bilateral ties in thetime to come, including giving priority to the early resumption of regulardelegation exchanges, and enhancing humanitarian cooperation and efforts toovercome the consequences of war, thus contributing to building trust andfacilitating the enhancement of bilateral trade and investment based on mutualbenefit.

Minh welcomed the two sides’ effective implementation of the action plantowards a harmonious and sustainable trade balance, while stressing thepotential for developing energy cooperation in bilateral economic relations.

He affirmed that Vietnam vows to create a favourable investment andbusiness environment for US firms with long-term operations in the country.

Pompeo highly valued the measures the Vietnamese Government has carriedout to reach the harmonious and sustainable trade balance and the recentsigning of key deals between businesses from the two countries. He affirmed hissupport for both sides to continue dialogue and consultation in order todevelop trade ties in a stable manner.

Regarding regional issues of common concern, Minh asked the US tocontinue to support the central role and solidarity of ASEAN and promote theASEAN-US strategic partnership.

Pompeo appreciated Vietnam’s role as the ASEAN 2020 Chair and anon-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure. Hehoped the two sides will continue strengthening coordination in dealing withcommon challenges, thus contributing to maintaining peace, stability, security,and development in the region and the world./.