Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan affirmed Vietnam’s external policy of treasuring ties with the US during a reception in Hanoi on April 18 for US Senator Patrick Leahy, Vice Chairman of the US Committee on Appropriations.

The NA Chairwoman said Vietnam wants to strengthen their bilateral comprehensive partnership in a more practical and effective manner.

Lauding the US’s important role in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region and the world, she expressed her delight that US President Donald Trump has come to Vietnam twice since the beginning of his tenure, along with the exchange of high-level visits, contributing to promoting all-round Vietnam-US links.

She hoped that during the visit, both sides would discuss ways to boost ties between their two nations and, in particular, between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the US Senate.

According to her, Vietnam-US ties are growing in the spheres of politics, economy, trade-investment, science-technology, culture-education, and national defence-security. The US is also one of the top destinations chosen by Vietnamese youth for further studies.

Vietnam always considers the US one of its most important partners in terms of economy and trade, she said.

The host said that political stability and social safety and order all contribute to giving Vietnam an edge in attracting foreign investors. At present, foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction is one of the bright spots in Vietnam’s economic landscape with the world’s leading corporations active in the country.

With access to 12 free trade agreements (FTAs), Vietnam is refining its policies and laws, while building key infrastructure for national development, she said.

Leahy, for his part, expressed wishes to learn about Vietnam’s current policies as well as bilateral cooperation opportunities in the near future.

Host and guests discussed issues regarding gender equality; labour; start-ups; and FDI attraction in the high-tech industry, agriculture, electronics, digital technology, and clean energy.

Several senators said the US is ready to partner with Vietnam in its development process, adding that although the US has not joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, they hoped an exclusive FTA between Vietnam and the US could be conceived in the future.–VNA 
VNA