A Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) delegation led by Hoang Binh Quan, member of the CPV Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations, visited the US from December 9-19.

During the visit, made at the invitation of the US State Department, the delegation held talks with US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman as well as met with Daniel Russell, special assistant to the US President, and a number of senators, congressmen and senior officials from the US Administration.

The delegation met UN Deputy Secretary-General for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations Herve L adsous, the US Communist Party Chairman Sam Webb, as well as several left wing representatives.

Quan and his delegation also discussed with senior scholars and experts from top US research institutes in Washington , New York , California and Hawaii . They also held working sessions with political and social institutes of the Republic and Democratic Parties.

During the sessions, Quan briefed the US partners on the policies and achievements of Vietnam during its cause of renewal, the country’s recent socio-economic situation as well as the CPV and Vietnamese State ’s foreign policy of independence, self-control, peace, cooperation and development.

The two sides sought directions and measures to make Vietnam-US relations more practical and effective in the future.

Quan noted the positive developments of bilateral ties since the two countries normalised their relations, particularly in economics and trade. He affirmed that Vietnam will continue its efforts to boost multi-faceted cooperation with the US for the benefits of people from both countries, peace and stability in the region and the world.

The US officials and experts applauded the delegation’s visit and hailed Vietnam ’s achievements during its renewal and socio-economic development under the CPV leadership in recent years, as well as the country’s increasingly important role in the region and the world.

They highly valued the important developments of bilateral ties between the two countries during 17 years of normalised relations, affirming that the US Government will further strengthen the relationship with Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries.

The two sides had frank and open discussions on issues in bilateral relations as well as regional and international matters of mutual concern. They agreed to work with other regional countries to foster their cooperation in order to effectively cope with the global economic-financial crisis, including the acceleration of effective negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement.

They welcomed efforts to settle differences and disputes in the region through peaceful negotiations based on international law to maintain peace and stability in the region and the world.

At a meeting with the Chairman of the US Communist Party and left wing representatives, Quan thanked the valuable support US communists and people gave Vietnam in its struggle for independence in the past as well as current national renewal and development.

The two sides also discussed ways to further the relations between the two Parties and among civil organisations of both countries in the time to come.

During their stay, Quan and his delegation visited the Vietnamese Embassy in the US, the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN and the Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco.