General Secretary visits the home of former US President Bill Clinton and his wife

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong yesterday visited the private home of former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, whom he considers "great friends of the Vietnamese people".

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visits the family of former US President Bill Clinton in the suburbs of New York City, USA.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visits the family of former US President Bill Clinton in New York City, USA. Photo: VNA

According to VNA, on the afternoon of July 10 (morning of July 11, Hanoi time), General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited the family of former US President Bill Clinton at Kittle House in New York City.

Former President Clinton was pleased to see that the Vietnam-US relationship is developing positively, in line with the interests of the people of the two countries and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Clinton said he was proud to have had the opportunity to participate in and witness the development of the two countries over the past 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Although no longer holding a position in the government, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton still regularly follow the situation and developments in all aspects of Vietnam - US relations.

Through the Clinton Foundation’s activities in Vietnam, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton have the opportunity to contribute to the development of Vietnam-US relations. Former President Clinton hopes that the friendly relations between the governments and people of the two countries will continue to develop rapidly and achieve more results in the future.

The General Secretary presented a souvenir to the former US President. Photo: VNA

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong thanked former President Clinton and his wife for their affection and important contributions to the development of all-round relations between Vietnam and the US over the past 20 years. He always considered Mr. and Mrs. Clinton as great friends of the Vietnamese people.

The General Secretary recalled that the President's decision to normalize Vietnam-US relations 20 years ago created a historic turning point in the rapid and substantial development of bilateral relations, turning Vietnam and the US into partners, contributing to easing the pain of war in both countries, serving the interests of the people of both countries and for peace and stability in the region and the world.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong congratulated and highly appreciated the Clinton Foundation’s activities in Vietnam over the past 10 years, especially in the field of care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other infectious diseases. He affirmed that he would create the most favorable conditions possible for the Foundation to continue its operations, thereby contributing to promoting the friendly relations between the two countries and peoples.

Former US President Bill Clinton was one of the prominent figures who helped normalize relations with Vietnam two decades ago. In July 1993, he announced that the US would no longer oppose the International Monetary Fund (IMF) providing aid to Vietnam. In September 1993, Clinton affirmed that the US would further ease the trade embargo against Vietnam, and in February 1994, it officially lifted it and agreed to open a liaison office between the two countries. On July 11, 1995, Mr. Clinton officially announced the normalization of relations with Vietnam.

Former President Clinton's most recent visit to Vietnam took place earlier this month. In a speech to more than 1,000 guests in Hanoi, Clinton said the normalization of Vietnam-US relations was "one of his most important achievements."

According to VNA