United States President Barack Obama joined talks with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong on Monday afternoon as part of his visit to Vietnam from May 22 to 25.

The two leaders convened a meeting in Hanoi at 4:30 pm, after the U.S. president joined talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Dai Quang, and visited the former residence of late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

General Secretary Trong expressed his delight at meeting President Obama, before praising his visit to Vietnam, considering it a commitment in enhancing the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive partnership.

The Vietnamese Party chief informed his guest of the success of the National Party Congress, which was organized in late January, and the recent election of the members of the lawmaking National Assembly and local-level People’s Councils for the 2016-21 period.

Hanoi considers Washington one of its important partners, Trong asserted, adding that the two nations should deepen their comprehensive cooperation in a practical and effective manner and on the basis of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, and political system, in order to ensure the two peoples’ interests and preserve peace, stability, and development.

The general secretary welcomed the effort by the U.S. government, parliament, and organizations to deal with consequences brought about by previous wars in Vietnam, before hoping that the North American nation would continue its support in these areas.

He reiterated Hanoi’s policies on carrying out the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement and asked Washington to provide technological assistance for the process.

The two leaders also discussed several measures to strengthen economic cooperation in the near future.

Regarding regional and international issues, the Vietnamese Party chief praised all contributions of foreign nations, including the U.S., to the maintenance of international peace, security, and stability.

He emphasized Vietnam’s stance on the amicable settlement of disputes in the East Vietnam Sea as per international law.

Reporters at the meeting between the two leaders. Photo: Tuoi Tre

President Obama extended his gratitude for the warm welcome of the Vietnamese Party, state, and people during his first trip to the Southeast Asian country and congratulated Trong on his re-appointment.

He considered Vietnam and the capital city of Hanoi a great place with much potential, expressing his intention to return to the country.

The U.S. head of state praised the Vietnamese Party’s role and leadership in national development as well as its strategy in negotiating the TPP deal.

The U.S. considers Vietnam an essential partner in the region and will exert all efforts to boost collaboration with the country in major fields, especially providing support for Vietnam’s execution of the TPP agreement.

President Obama said that the U.S.’s decision to fully lift a lethal weapon ban on Vietnam has created new progress in the two nations’ relationship.

The leader highlighted the need to preserve the safety, security, and freedom of navigation and aviation, and of settling matters in the East Vietnam Sea by peaceful measures.

He believed that the Vietnam-U.S. relationship would rapidly develop in the future, in the interests of both parties.

Prior to the meeting, President Obama met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the same afternoon.

United States President Barack Obama shakes hands with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on May 23, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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