General Secretary and President To Lam received Ambassador Jennifer Wicks at the Presidential Palace on 6/7. He congratulated her on her appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, expressing confidence that her term would be successful. The meeting underscored the shared commitment to strengthening trust, enhancing mutual understanding, and advancing Vietnam-U.S. relations, according to TTXVN.

General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed Vietnam consistently views the U.S. as a leading strategic partner. He emphasized the two nations' desire to effectively implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework. This framework aims for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development, built on mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, political institutions, equality, and reciprocal benefit.

Ambassador Jennifer Wicks presents her credentials to General Secretary and President To Lam on 6/7. *Photo: TTXVN*

To Lam highlighted significant potential for more substantive and effective cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S. He proposed both sides maintain contacts, exchange delegations at all levels, and leverage existing dialogue mechanisms. He also urged the swift completion of negotiations and signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade (ART), alongside continued promotion of economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Vietnam also seeks to expand cooperation in science and technology, innovation, semiconductors, AI, digital transformation, education, health, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.

General Secretary and President To Lam receives U.S. Ambassador Jennifer Wicks on 6/7. *Photo: TTXVN*

Ambassador Wicks expressed her honor in serving as U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam during a period of robust bilateral relations. She affirmed the U.S. values its relationship with Vietnam, supporting a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam. She committed to close coordination with Vietnamese ministries, agencies, localities, and partners to effectively implement high-level agreements and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The U.S. Ambassador also expressed admiration for Vietnam's socio-economic development and its growing international role. She affirmed her intention to use the broad directions shared by the General Secretary and President as a foundation for her term. Her goals include enhancing strategic trust and fostering stable, long-term bilateral cooperation.

U.S. Ambassador Jennifer Wicks signs a guestbook. *Photo: TTXVN*

She stated that the U.S. will continue to support Vietnam during its new development phase, maintaining assistance for war legacy programs such as dioxin remediation, unexploded ordnance clearance, support for persons with disabilities, and the search and identification of missing soldiers' remains. Furthermore, the U.S. will coordinate in regional and international forums to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and development.

On the same day, General Secretary and President To Lam also received new ambassadors from Portugal, Iran, Mongolia, and Myanmar as they presented their credentials. The Vietnamese leader affirmed the importance of relations with these nations, proposing enhanced cooperation in political, economic, trade, investment, science and technology, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The ambassadors expressed their desire to foster bilateral relations during their terms, committing to close coordination with Vietnamese agencies to implement the cooperation directions agreed upon by both sides' leaders.

By Thanh Danh