US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he believes Vietnam and the US will continue developing their relations and cooperation potential, ultimately expanding their comprehensive partnership in the years ahead.

Meeting with Chairman of the Vietnamese Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan in Hanoi on May 18, Blinken valued Vietnam’s recent development and underscored the progress seen in the two countries’ bilateral ties.

He said the US attaches importance to its relations with Vietnam and the promotion of their comprehensive partnership in line with the Joint Statement issued in July 2013.

Sharing Blinken’s reviews on bilateral links over the last 20 years, Quan said the strides have contributed to each country’s development and benefited their peoples along with regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development.

He emphasised the importance of implementing the 2013 Joint Statement, increasing the exchanges of high-ranking delegations and promoting cooperation in spheres of respective strength.

The official also asked the US to be flexible with Vietnam while negotiating for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

At the meeting, the two officials also touched upon regional and international matters of mutual concern.-VNA