The meeting was jointly organized by the Central External Relations Commission, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnamese Delegation to the United Nations, VNA reported.
The meeting was attended by delegates from different states, representing thousands of American friends who love Vietnam, including leaders of the Communist Party USA, left-wing organizations, peace activists, veterans, friends, representatives of charitable, humanitarian, religious, non-governmental organizations and businesses.
Co-Chair of the Communist Party of the USA Rossana Cambron expressed her deep impression and inspiration of a modern, prosperous Vietnam with a socialist-oriented market economy, considering it a model for sustainable growth, improving people's lives and an example of turning the theory of socialist society into reality; affirming her desire to strengthen relations between the two Parties in the coming time.
President of the Reconciliation and Development Foundation John McAucliff expressed his impression of the reconciliation between the two countries after the war, the strong development in all fields within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership, and wished that Vietnam would share its experiences to promote reconciliation and development in relations between nations.
Many delegates shared personal stories and experiences in their journey to promote understanding between the people of the two countries.
Project 2 Executive Director Margot Delogne emotionally shared the change from hatred to friendship of a son who lost his father in the Vietnam War, the effort to connect people who lost their parents in the war on both sides, to find peace of mind and promote understanding, building friendship between the two nations.
It is also the story of the efforts to support peace, to oppose the use of nuclear weapons in the Vietnam War by representatives of the December 12 Movement, or of Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Cora Weiss who were willing to share their experiences in peace negotiations with the Vietnamese delegation at the Paris Conference, and to donate to send a ship of food to Vietnam during the years when Vietnam was facing many difficulties.
General Secretary and President To Lam thanked comrades and friends for arranging their time to attend the meeting; expressed his respect and emotion for the support and affection of American communist comrades, friends and people for the Party, State and people of Vietnam through the ages.
The General Secretary and President affirmed the policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, friendship and development in Vietnam's relations with other countries, including the US, emphasizing the message that Vietnam actively contributes to peace and reconciliation in the world, and participates in solving common challenges facing humanity.
At the meeting, the General Secretary and President congratulated and respectfully awarded the Friendship Medal to individuals who have made many positive and important contributions to strengthening the relationship between the people of the two countries.
On behalf of the Friendship Medal recipients, Mr. John McAuliff and Ms. Cora Weiss expressed their gratitude and emotion, and considered the honor of receiving this noble award as an honor for tens of thousands of American people who love and support Vietnam, affirming that they will continue their efforts to enhance understanding, promote friendship and cooperation between the two sides in the coming time.
