At the meeting, the two sides highly praised the positive developments of the two countries' relations, including the official visit to the US by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the visit to Vietnam and attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting by US President Donald Trump. They applauded the bilateral exchanges between the two countries’ legislative bodies which serve to strengthen their understanding and promote cooperation.
FM Minh urged the US Congress to promote the exchange of delegations at all levels, including exchanges of senior delegations, while continuing cooperation to promote the central role of economic and trade cooperation plays in overall bilateral relations, as well as continuing to cooperate effectively with Vietnam in the matter of war aftermath settlements.
Senator Gardner expressed his pleasure at visiting Vietnam for the first time and spoke highly of the country’s positive developments in recent years. He affirmed that as the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee, he would further promote political, diplomatic, economic-commercial, and security - defence cooperation with Vietnam, in addition to sharing legislative experiences, to promote the Vietnam - US comprehensive partnership.
Emphasising that the US plays an important role in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region, the host suggested that the two sides strengthen cooperation in regional institutions, including attaching importance to strengthening the central role and maintaining the ASEAN unity and firmly promoting the effective ASEAN - US strategic partnership.
Senator Gardner said he would continue to push for initiatives to strengthen US - ASEAN relations. He also requested the two sides to continue coordinating in the settlement of regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the maintenance of peace, stability, security, and navigation and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea on the basis of international law.
