Secretary of State: U.S. places importance to relations with VN

VGP – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asserted that the U.S. attaches importance on the friendship and cooperation with Viet Nam, highlighting the significance of Donald Trump’s State visit to Viet Nam to enhance the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

November 12, 2017 8:07 AM GMT+7

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh (L) receives U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Da Nang City, November 11, 2017 - Photo: VGP/Hai Minh

The statement was made at his meeting with Vietnamese Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh in the central city of Da Nang on November 11, within the framework of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.

Both sides said recent visits by leaders of the two countries demonstrate that the bilateral comprehensive partnership holds significance to interests of their people and has contributed to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

They also discussed measures to foster the Viet Nam-U.S. cooperation in economy-trade, national defence-security and the settlement of post-war consequences.

The two sides agreed to intensify their coordination in mechanisms led by ASEAN and back the handling of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures and in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), thus contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

During the U.S. President’s State visit to Viet Nam from November 11-12, U.S. President Donald Trump will hold talks with State President Tran Dai Quang and meet with Vietnamese high-ranking leaders in Ha Noi on November 12.

By Thuy Dung