Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of attaching importance to ties with the US for the long-term interest of both peoples.

Receiving a delegation of US lawmakers led by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, Senator John McCain on May 27 in Hanoi, the Party leader said Vietnam will continue to pursue an external policy of independence, cooperation and development with a view to creating favourable conditions for its national construction and defence while contributing to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong acknowledged the US cooperation in addressing war consequences in Vietnam and asking the US Congress, Government and Senator McCain himself to do more in this field to heal the war wound, enhance mutual trust thus laying foundation for the development of the bilateral ties between the two countries.

He reiterated Vietnam’s firm stance of safeguarding national sovereignty and integrity, first and foremost by peaceful measures in line with the United Nations Charter and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and striving for a Code of Conduct on the East Sea.

Vietnam protests all acts that ignore international law, break the status quo and threaten peace, security and stability in the region, he affirmed.

Senator McCain highlighted the progress made in the relations between the two countries, especially since they set up the comprehensive partnership in 2013, reiterating that the US wishes to further promote the multifaceted cooperative ties with Vietnam.

The senator and the US delegates said they look forward to the Vietnamese Party leader’s visit to the US and pledged to do their best for the historic visit to reap the best outcomes.

The US guests also expressed special attention to the issue of security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region in general and recent developments in the East Sea in particular.

They affirmed that the US continuously supports settling disputes via peaceful diplomatic measures on the basis of respect for international law, the 1982 United Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

NA Chairman meets with US Senator McCain

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung had a meeting with US Senator John McCain in Hanoi on May 27, during which he noted that parliamentarians of both sides have made significant contributions to the expansion of Vietnam-US investment and trade ties over the past years.

He suggested that the US Congress support and early approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with Vietnam, thus bolstering economic, security and defence relations between the two countries.

He also proposed that both sides increase exchanges of views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The NA leader affirmed that Vietnam has been carrying out the policy of active international integration and is ready to be a trustworthy partner of all countries in the globe, including the US.

Vietnam hopes that the US will raise its voice to contribute to maintaining peace in the region and the world, preventing threats to security and maritime safety in the East Sea as well as in Asia-Pacific region, he stressed.

On his part, Senator McCain expressed his optimism that the TPP will be reached soon, allowing member countries to enjoy favourable conditions in boosting trade and economic growth.

He said he hopes Vietnam and the US , together with other related parties, will reach consensus on the deal soon, so as to further beef up bilateral ties and benefiting both peoples.

The US senator also voiced his concern on the East Sea situation, highlighting that all disputes should be settled through peaceful measures in conformity with international law.

Defence Minister discusses cooperation with US senator

Defence cooperation between Vietnam and the US has seen good outcomes in the recent past, Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh noted during a reception on May 27 for US Senator John McCain, who is on his visit to Vietnam.

Minister Phung Quang Thanh said the two sides have worked together effectively in the fields of training, military medicine, UXO clearance, overcoming Agent Orange/dioxin consequences as well as the search for war soldiers’ remains.

He said the US senator’s visit creates a good opportunity for two sides to discuss other fields for cooperation.

The minister expressed hope that Senator John McCain, in his capacity, will help expand collaboration between two nations.

For his part, the US senator spoke highly of recent development in the bilateral relations while stressing that defence sector is the backbone of all cooperation. He affirmed that the visit is a chance for him to talk with relevant Vietnamese agencies on promoting bilateral relations and addressing the war consequences.

The senator also thanked Vietnam for its assistance in the search for US soldiers’ remains.

He said he hopes the two countries will continue with sharing experience in education model and humanitarian support while pushing ahead with efforts to address the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin and search for soldiers’ remains

VNA