Statement by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at joint press briefing with U.S. President Joe Biden

Your Honourable Joe Biden, President of the United States of America

Distinguished delegates,

On behalf of the Party, State and people of Viet Nam, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to President Joe Biden who has great affection for the country and people of Viet Nam, and valuable support for the development of the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and the U.S. in different capacities. His visit to Viet Nam is of geat significance as it concides with the celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries.

I always recall the fond memories of his cordial reception and warm welcome of the U.S. Government, as well as the affection of the American people during my visit to the U.S. in July 2015. Most notably I recall the very sincere and interesting discussion between myself and President Joe Biden during this visit. I also thank him for his letter in June this year to invite me to visit the U.S. again.

In an atmosphere of friendship, equality, understanding and mutual respect, I and President Joe Biden had extensive and fruitful bilateral talks. The two sides agreed that the Viet Nam-U.S. ties have grown in a vigorous, profound, subtantive and effective manner since the normalization of diplomatic ties and following the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership. On this occasion, on behalf of the Vietnamese people, I would like to convey my greetings and thanks to organizations and inviduals in the U.S. for their support and contributions to the strengthening of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

On this basis, for the interests of the two peoples and in line with the aspiration to enhance cooperation for peace, cooperation and sustainable development in a new context, I and President Joe Biden represented the two countries to adopt the joint leaders' statement on the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.

This partnership shall continue to be built upon the basis of full respect for the fundamental principles guiding our bilateral ties thus far, including respect for the United Nations Charter, international law as well as each other's political system, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We underscore the fact that mutual understanding of each other's relevant situation, respect for each other's legitimate interests, and non-interference into each other's internal affairs are of great significance. Viet Nam highly appreciates and treasures the U.S. reiteration of its support for a strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous Viet Nam.

The contents of this new partnership are built upon the existing contents of bilateral cooperation and elevated to a new height through promoting economic-trade-investment cooperation with innovation as the basis, the core and driving force for the bilateral ties, and science-technology as a new breakthrough for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. In the time to come, relevant authorities of the two countries will coordinate in implementing these agreements, laying the foundation for further steps forward.

Viet Nam wishes to boost relations with the U.S. and other international partners in line with the spirit outlined by President Ho Chi Minh after Viet Nam regained its independence: That is, Viet Nam wishes to make friends with all countries. For the U.S., President Ho Chi Minh affirmed Viet Nam's full independence and affirmed that Viet Nam stands ready to engage in full cooperation with the U.S., and such independence and cooperation will benefit the entire world. We all know that many years afterwards, the people of Viet Nam had to endure countless sacrifices and hardhsips to safeguard and renunite the country.

The 13^th Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam identifies the guidelines to further strengthen and deepen its bilateral cooperation under the consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization, and diversification of external relations; being a friend, a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community.

President Joe Biden and I informed each other about recent developments in each country, and expressed the appreciation for the efforts and outcomes in socio-economic developments of each country. Given the complicated global situation and conflicts, Viet Nam hopes that relevant parties will engage in dialogue and peacefully settle disputes on the basis of the respect for fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

I do hope that through this important and meaningful visit, Mr. President, distinguished guests and all friends present here will have an opportunity to experience firsthand a reformed Viet Nam with dynamic growth, a longlasting culture and history, and a hospitable, friendly and peace-loving nation.

I am confident that President Joe Biden's Viet Nam visit will be a great success.

I wish Mr. President greater successes. I wish you, your distinguished delegates, and all distinguished guests here today and your families good health and happiness./.