(VOVWORLD) -President Nguyen Xuan Phuc received US Vice President Kamala Harris who is visiting Vietnam on Wednesday at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi.
 President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris (Photo: VNA)
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At the meeting, the President affirmed that Vietnam always considers the US as one of its most important partners and wishes to work with the US to continue developing the Vietnam-US relations substantively and effectively.
President Phuc emphasized the importance of bilateral economic-trade cooperation and appreciated the fact that the two sides have reached an agreement on currency exchange rate policy in a constructive spirit towards harmonious and mutually beneficial trade.
He applauded the US commitment to increasing budget to address war consequences, including decontaminating Agent Orange/dioxin at Bien Hoa airport and other hotspots, removing unexploded ordnance, supporting people with disabilities, and assisting Vietnam in examining the DNA of remains of Vietnamese soldiers who laid down their lives in the war.
According to President Phuc and Vice President Harris, Vietnam and the US share common concerns on climate change response, make efforts to fulfill national commitments and take strong measures in clean, renewable energy.
They agreed to strengthen cooperation within the United Nations framework as well as other multilateral forums, supporting security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight. They said all disputes in the East Sea should be resolved peacefully on the basis of international law and urged for early completion of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.
The Vice President applauded Vietnam's efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic and reaffirmed the US commitment to continue support for Vietnam’s fight against the disease. Ms. Harris suggested the two sides work closely to support businesses, especially large corporations of the US and Vietnam, to maintain production supply chains amid the pandemic.
Earlier the same day, Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan hosted a reception for US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the first incumbent US Vice President to visit Vietnam.
 Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan receives US Vice President Kamala Harris. (Photo: VNA)
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Discussing measures to boost bilateral cooperation in health care, education and post-pandemic recovery, Xuan affirmed that Vietnam always strives to promote gender equality and child protection and care, and carry out social security policies for vulnerable groups in the society.
She thanked the US Government for funding projects to enhance women’s participation as well as support vulnerable groups.
Lauding bilateral coordination in education - training and human resource development, Xuan welcomed US volunteers to Vietnam to teach English in the time to come.
The Vietnamese leader also took this occasion to suggest the US Government continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to reside and work in the country, helping them to become an effective bridge to bring Vietnam – US ties closer.