US lawmakers highly concerned about the situation in the East Sea

Speaking to the members of the two US legislative houses on the morning of July 8 (US time, the night of July 8 Vietnam time),General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong highly appreciated the US Congress's interest, constructive contributions and responsibility towards the situation in the East Sea.

The meeting took place at the US Congress, chaired by former US Senate President Patrick Leahy, the leader of the Democratic Party in the Senate. On behalf of the members of the two Houses, Mr. Patrick Leahy welcomed General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to the US.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in a meeting with Senator John McCain (Photo: AFP)

This visit takes place at the time of the 20th anniversary of Vietnam - US diplomatic relations, marking a new period of development in bilateral relations.

The US Congressmen present all expressed their support for strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the US and Vietnam, shared many good impressions from their visits to Vietnam, and wished to promote cooperation between the US and US states with Vietnam in various fields, including trade and security issues.

US lawmakers have expressed high concern over the recent situation in the East Sea.

Speaking to the members of the two US legislatures, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said that over the past 20 years, the relationship between Vietnam and the United States has made great strides in a short period of history.

The positive development of bilateral relations over the past 20 years is based on respect for the basic principles in international relations, which are mutual understanding, respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, political institutions and mutually beneficial cooperation; readiness for open dialogue to reach common understanding on issues of remaining differences between the two countries.

The General Secretary thanked and appreciated the enthusiastic support and practical contributions of organizations and individuals from both Vietnam and the United States, especially congressmen from both US Legislative Houses, to the process of promoting relations between the two countries over the past 20 years, especially the US Congress's annual budget allocation for programs to support overcoming the consequences of war in Vietnam.

Discussing with members of the two US legislative houses on a number of international and regional issues, the General Secretary highly appreciated the US Congress's interest, constructive contributions and responsibility for the situation in the East Sea; affirmed that Vietnam consistently implements a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, actively and proactively integrates into the international community, and is a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community. Vietnam also persistently advocates the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures on the basis of respect for international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In their discussions with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, delegates from the two US legislative houses expressed their delight at the strong development of relations between the two countries in general and relations between the legislative bodies of the two countries in particular in recent times; and believed that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's official visit to the United States was of great significance, contributing to promoting the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the United States to continue to develop more substantially and effectively in the coming time.

Also on the morning of July 8 (ie the night of July 8 Vietnam time), General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong met with Senator John McCain at the US Capitol. Also attending was Senator Sulivan.

Senator John McCain expressed his delight at welcoming General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on his historic visit to the United States at the important time of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The Senator said that the visit was of historical significance, marking a new development in the relationship between the two countries; emphasized that the United States highly values ​​its relationship with Vietnam; and affirmed that it will continue to make efforts to promote the development of Vietnam - US relations in the coming time.

Senator John McCain and Senator Sulivan both expressed deep impressions after their recent visit to Vietnam.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sincerely thanked Senator John McCain for his warm and friendly reception, highly appreciated Senator McCain's active support and important contributions to promoting the removal of embargo, normalization as well as the development of Vietnam - US relations; believed that Vietnam - US relations are currently developing in the right direction and positively in almost all areas, meeting the interests of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world, especially in the context of the rapidly evolving, complicated and potentially unpredictable regional situation.

Discussing the relationship between the two countries, Senator John McCain affirmed the development of the US-Vietnam relationship, was proud of the cooperative achievements that the two sides have achieved over the past 20 years; said that the relationship between the two countries still has a lot of room for development, requiring both sides to continue to make efforts and cooperate to exploit and promote that room.

The United States is ready to strengthen cooperation in all areas with Vietnam, especially in the fields of defense and security.

The General Secretary said that economy and trade are important areas of cooperation between the two countries. In addition, Vietnam also wishes to promote cooperation with the United States in the fields of science and technology, education and training, and considers this a very potential area of ​​cooperation.

The General Secretary said that the security and defense relationship between the two countries has progressed substantially in recent times, with encouraging concrete results, contributing to gradually building political trust.

In the coming time, defense cooperation needs to continue to be promoted on the basis of the Joint Vision Statement between the two Defense Ministries recently signed in Hanoi and the Memorandum of Understanding on Vietnam-US defense cooperation in 2011.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong highly appreciated the US Congress and Senator John McCain's support for increased support for resolving the consequences of war in Vietnam; suggested that the US side should do more, more substantively, in resolving the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin on people and the environment in Vietnam, clearing bombs and unexploded ordnance, and searching for missing Vietnamese soldiers.

Senator John McCain discussed with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong a number of international and regional issues, including the situation in the East Sea and cyber security.

The General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam is determined to resolve disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and strives with parties to soon build a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Previously, on July 7, Senator John McCain also issued a statement welcoming the official visit to the United States of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong./.

According to VOV