Vietnam and the US are seeking wider cooperation in various fields after the US ban on lethal weapon sales to Vietnam is removed.

Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieut. Gen. Truong Quang Khanh on August 4 received visiting US Senator Bob Corker, Ranking Member of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Khanh affirmed that the Vietnam government and people always attach great importance to maintaining peaceful relations with other nations, in the best interest of national development.

During periods of peace, the Vietnam State and People’s Army have continually developed defence ties with other countries, including the US, Khanh told his guest.

Regarding East Sea issue, he reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of settling disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law.

Senator Corker said the US Senate is considering lifting its ban on lethal weapon sales to Vietnam.

He also highlighted the Vietnam-US fruitful relations, adding that the two sides are nearing agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

NA wants to bolster cooperation with US Congress

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung expressed the Vietnamese legislative body’s willingness to boost closer cooperative relations with the US Congress at a reception for Senator Bob Corker in Hanoi on August 4.

Hung told Senator Bob Corker, ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Vietnam protests China's actions in the East Sea which have threatened regional peace and security and wants to maintain and build friendly relations with the countries in the region and around the world.

“All countries need to work together to ensure peace, stability and development. Vietnam advocates political and diplomatic measures with consideration of legal solutions to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Vietnam NA trusts in the role of the United Nations and international organizations in protecting the legitimate interests of the countries in the East Sea.” the top legislator emphasized.

Hung also expressed his pleasure at the flourishing relations between the two countries over the past two decades, hoping that the US Senator’s visit will make a positive contribution to fostering bilateral ties between the two legislatures.

Senator Bob Corker, in turn, confirmed the US Senator’s readiness to beef up stronger ties with the Vietnam NA by sharing law enactment experience.

He said he hopes the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement will be signed soon, adding fresh impetus to pushing up Vietnam’s economic development in the future.

The US guest noted that his nation has also closely followed the situation in the East Sea and opposed China’s illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in recent past.

Meeting with US Senator Bob Corker the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh highlighted the two countries’ huge potential for further cooperation in the future. He proposed the Senator and the US Congress intensify delegation exchanges, strengthen bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation, continue to grant Vietnam flexible and preferential treatment in the TPP Agreement negotiations and open its wider doors for Vietnamese products.

The two sides also exchanged view on regional and global issues of mutual concern. Minh praised the US Senate’s contributions to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Senator Corker expressed his concern about the recent developments in the East Sea since China illegally put its oil rig in Vietnam’s waters. He agreed that all sovereignty disputes should be resolved through peaceful means according to international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).