Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received the US Secretary of State

On the afternoon of December 16, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is on an official visit to Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung receives US Secretary of State Kerry. Photo: VGP

Welcoming Secretary of State John Kerry's visit and work in Vietnam, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his delight at the positive developments in the Vietnam-US cooperation, especially in the fields of economics, trade and investment, which have brought practical benefits to both sides. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung highly appreciated the results of the talks between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Secretary of State John Kerry; saying that the results of the visit will contribute positively to promoting the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

Discussing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that Vietnam will cooperate closely with the United States in this process and suggested that there should be flexibility appropriate to the development level of each country, in which attention should be paid to Vietnam's core interests. This is consistent with the viewpoint of the leaders of TPP member countries towards an Agreement that balances the interests of the members.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung suggested that in negotiations, the United States consider Vietnam's practical conditions, especially access to the textile and footwear market, to reach an agreement that is acceptable to both sides.

Regarding the issue of human rights, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said that in recent times, Vietnam and the United States have had a dialogue mechanism and handled the issue in a spirit of cooperation, construction and understanding, not allowing this issue to hinder the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

Welcoming the US's support for Vietnam in responding to climate change as well as the US's interest in the sustainable use of Mekong River water resources, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked the US to support countries in environmental protection, climate change response and Mekong River water resources management towards the goal of sustainable, stable and long-term development of the region.

In addition, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also asked the US to reduce barriers in trade relations between the two countries, soon recognize Vietnam as a market economy, and asked the two sides to soon find solutions to trade issues.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also welcomed the US support for the stance of ASEAN and Vietnam to resolve disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982), strictly implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon building a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Thanking the Prime Minister for taking the time to meet him, Secretary of State John Kerry informed about the results of the talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. Secretary of State John Kerry said that the successful negotiation of the TPP Agreement will be a milestone in promoting cooperation between the United States and Vietnam, especially in the fields of economics, trade and investment.

Secretary of State John Kerry affirmed that the United States is very interested in cooperation to ensure maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation, and unimpeded trade. All disputes in the East Sea need to be resolved by peaceful means, on the basis of international law. The Foreign Minister expressed his belief that the Vietnam-US relationship will develop increasingly well, especially in the fields of economics, trade, and investment. He affirmed that he personally will make every effort to support Vietnam in resolving issues resulting from the war and responding to climate change.

At the meeting, both sides were pleased to note the positive developments in the Vietnam-US relationship in recent times, especially the two countries’ recent establishment of a comprehensive partnership. The two sides discussed international and regional issues of concern.

On the same day, at the Government Guest House, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh held talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

At the talks, both sides expressed their delight at the positive development of bilateral relations in recent times, especially the important developments since the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership such as increasing high-level contacts, initialing the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (Agreement 123), achieving substantial progress in bilateral negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), the US removing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy taxes on Vietnam's shrimp exports in the period from February 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012, Vietnam Airlines reaching an agreement to purchase 40 aircraft engines from GE Group...

The two sides also exchanged measures to continue implementing the Comprehensive Partnership in various fields in the coming time.

According to VOV