National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan called for a prompt signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, describing it as a crucial step toward an elevated Asian- Pacific nexus.

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan meets with Senator John McCain. — Photo vov 

Ngan made the request at meetings with US senators and representatives during her 10-day working visit to the US, which wrapped up on Tuesday.

At meetings, fields of common interest were discussed such as TPP negotiations, regional peace and marine security maintenance.

The Vietnamese leader spoke highly of the support of US legislators and businesses in promoting relations between Viet Nam and the US, declaring that Viet Nam has always wished for result-orientated and comprehensive cooperation with the country.

She asked the US National Security Council (NSC) and two foreign ministries to increase visits of high-ranking politicians and diplomats in the time to come.

US legislators and officials spoke of Ngan's visit, which marked the 20th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, as a move that will further promote bilateral relations.

They highlighted Viet Nam's increasingly significant role in the global arena, which has left a significant impression on international players.

During the visit, Ngan attended the 5th Viet Nam Executive Leadership Programme at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts.

There she joined in working sessions with professors, experts, jurists and scholars from the university and other countries to analyse risks confronting economies in the world and regional recovery processes.

Vice Chairwoman Ngan met with judges of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to learn about the US judicial system.

She also met with representatives from the Association of Vietnamese Youth and Students in the US and scholars from the group Viet Nam Initiativewho are working to contribute to Viet Nam's development.

In Boston, Ngan also visited the Omni Parker House where the late President Ho Chi Minh worked from 1912-1913.

TPP talks move forward

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received United States Representative Michael Froman yesterday, noting that his visit will move ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnerships negotiations forward.

PM Dung expressed his belief that Viet Nam had made improvements in narrowing down the barriers that prevent the finalisation of TPP negotiations, areas such as intellectual property rights, reforms of state-owned enterprises and labour reform.

PM Dung said he hoped that the US side understands that the Vietnamese economy is in a transitional period and that negotiations must be flexible enough to benefit Viet Nam, other TPP members and boost long-term relations between Viet Nam and the US.

Speaking at the meeting, Froman said he recognized the hard work of Vietnamese trade negotiators and noted this was an important time to start concluding TPP negotiations. Froman said the US understood the Vietnamese economy would need time to implement their commitments to the TPP, and would be willing to help Viet Nam.

He expressed his confidence that TPP would soon be concluded.

TPP is a trade deal that will involve 12 countries. Viet Nam and Singapore currently are the only two ASEAN member countries participating in negotiations. 

VNS