The Vietnamese Party leader has suggested the US increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and boost cooperation with Vietnam within existing frameworks and in the fields of economics, trade, investment, science, technology, education-training, environmental protection and climate change management.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong made the suggestion at a reception given to visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Hanoi on July 10.

Welcoming the visit, the third made by Clinton since 2010, the CPV leader said he is pleased with the progresses of the two countries’ multi-faceted cooperation, especially in economic and trade area, since establishing diplomatic ties in 1995.

While stressing Vietnam ’s consistent foreign policy of peaceful independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of relations, and active and proactive international integration, Trong affirmed that the US is an important partner of Vietnam .

He also spoke highly of the active role of the US Secretary of State and her husband, former US President Bill Clinton, in fostering the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Clinton informed her host of the results of her talks and meetings with Vietnamese leaders. She expressed her pleasure to return to Vietnam and witness the country’s achievements in its renewal process, national construction and development over recent years.

She highly valued Vietnam’s increasing position and role in the region and in the world, affirming that the US administration wants to further strengthen effective multifaceted cooperation within regional mechanisms and countries, including Vietnam .

The strong development of economic, trade, educational and training relations between the two countries is encouraging US businesses to invest in the Vietnamese market, she noted.

At the meeting, Trong and Clinton exchanged views on some regional and international issues of common concern, including maintaining regional peace and stability. The two sides affirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation at regional and international forums./.