General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong receives US Secretary of Defence James Mattis (Source: VNA)

Mattis spoke highly of Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements as well as the country’s increasing position and role in the region and the world.

He informed the host of practical, diversified and effective collaboration in security-defence between the two countries, especially in participation in United Nations peace-keeping missions, military medical training, maritime security in the East Sea and law enforcement at sea.

The Vietnamese Party chief appreciated the outcomes of Mattis’s talks with Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich, and expressed his satisfaction with positive development in the two countries’ comprehensive cooperation.

He affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of attaching importance to the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, for long-term interests of the two peoples and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

He said that the US Secretary of Defence’s current visit will help speed up the implementation of signed agreements.

He suggested both sides continue efforts to address war consequences, including bomb and mine clearance, environmental detoxification, and search for soldiers listed as missing in action, as well as strengthen mutual trust and understanding to further develop the bilateral ties./.