HCMC – Secretary of State Antony Blinken is leading a delegation representing the President of the United States to visit Vietnam to pay homage to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who passed away on July 19.
On the evening of July 27, Blinken visited the official residence of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at 5 Thien Quang Street, Hanoi City to offer incense and express his condolences to Ngo Thi Man, the spouse of the late leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and her family.
Blinken conveyed U.S. President Joe Biden’s condolences to Ngo Thi Man and her family on the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
He was quoted by the Vietnam News Agency as saying that the leaders of the U.S. Government, and President Biden personally, always regarded General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as a friend and a trusted partner.
With his vision and leadership, the friendship and relations between Vietnam and the U.S. have developed robustly, and reached the highest level today as a comprehensive strategic partnership, he added.
He highlighted General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as a model in the reconciliation between the two countries and a bridge-builder between the peoples of the two nations.
President Biden, the U.S. Government, and the American people will always remember and honor the legacy of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, cherishing the good memories and sentiments of a person who created historical milestones in the excellent cooperative relationship between the two countries, Blinken said.
On behalf of the family, Ngo Thi Man expressed her deep gratitude for the kind sentiments from the United States, President Biden, and Secretary Blinken towards the Party General Secretary.
During his lifetime, General Secretary Trong was committed to fostering and strengthening the Vietnam-U.S. relationship, she said, adding that he and President Biden issued a joint statement on elevation of Vietnam-U.S. relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023.
She said with confidence that the two countries will continue to effectively implement their joint statement to further promote and deepen the cooperative relations between the two countries for the benefit of both peoples.
She extended her sincere thanks and best wishes to President Biden, his wife and their family.