Vietnam wants the bilateral ties to continue developing practically and effectively, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world at large, he said.

The US top diplomat, now making his first visit to Vietnam, confirmed that his country treasures its comprehensive partnership with Vietnam, vowed to continue efforts to foster the relationship in the time to come, and conveyed warm regard from his President Donald Trump to PM Phuc.

Both host and guest noted with pleasure the development of bilateral ties in all realms, including politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, security-defence, and settlement of post-war consequences.

They agreed to give priority to increasing the exchange of high-level delegations and meetings. 

PM Phuc affirmed that economic and trade relations continue to be a driving force for bilateral ties, noting with joy the recent positive developments in cooperation in this field.

The two sides were pleased with the success of the dioxin detoxification project at Da Nang Airport. The guest reaffirmed the US’ commitment to implementing a similar project at the Bien Hoa Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai.

Regarding regional and international issues of shared concern, including the East Sea issue, Pompeo reiterated the US’ stance of backing the peaceful resolution of disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea towards the finalisation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Both sides agreed to bolster the ASEAN-US strategic partnership in a more practical and effective manner. The US official said he supports the central role of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Vietnamese leader applauded recent efforts made by the parties concerned to accelerate the peace and denuclearisation process in the Korean Peninsula, affirming that Vietnam will continue to be an active and responsible member of the international community in this process. 

Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh holds talks with US State Secretary Pompeo

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has held talks with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, who said the US hopes a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam will play an increasingly important role in the region.

At the talks in Hanoi on July 9, Deputy PM Minh highlighted the importance of Pompeo’s official visit, from July 8 to 9, to the two countries’ relations, noting that Vietnam attaches importance to and hopes that the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership will continue to develop in a stable and result-oriented manner.

State Secretary Pompeo expressed his delight at his first trip to the Southeast Asian nation, adding that the US treasures the friendship and all-round cooperation with Vietnam.

The two sides noted with satisfaction the substantive strides in bilateral relations and agreed to further enhance the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership in the interests of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

They agreed to increase mutual visits, especially those at high levels, and continue to consider trade and investment ties as a driving force for bilateral ties. They will also actively carry out defence agreements and bolster education-training connections and people-to-people exchange.

The officials applauded the successful implementation of the project on environmental remediation of dioxin contamination at Da Nang airport. State Secretary Pompeo said the US will soon carry out a similar project at Bien Hoa airport and will further assist Vietnam to address war consequences.

At the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on regional and world issues of shared concern, including the East Sea situation. They voiced concern about the recent complicated happenings in the East Sea, reaffirming the support for peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and efforts to finalise an effective and legally binding Code of Conduct in the waters.

Deputy PM Minh and State Secretary Pompeo agreed to increase coordination at regional and international forums. They shared the view on the need to maintain ASEAN’s central role in resolving regional issues and promoting the steady and effective expansion of the ASEAN-US strategic partnership, thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The host official highly valued relevant parties’ efforts to step up the peace and denuclearisation process in the Korean Peninsula. He affirmed that Vietnam supports all constructive efforts and dialogue towards the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. 

Vietnam will continue to be an active and responsible member of the international community in this process, he added.

VNA