Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met US President Barack Obama
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and US President Barack Obama lauded encouraging progress made in the relations between the two countries, especially since they set up the comprehensive partnership in 2013, during a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on November 13.
At the event held on the sidelines of the ninth East Asia Summit and other summits, the two leaders highlighted bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, investment, education, health care, humanitarian activities and clean energy, regular dialogues on security-defence and human rights, and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement negotiations.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung suggested the US increase funding for dioxin detoxification and support for Vietnamese Agent Orange/Dioxin victims and the clearance of war-era unexploded ordnances. He also asked the US to completely lift the ban on the sale of lethal arms to Vietnam.
The leader affirmed Vietnam’s resolve to work closely with the US and other countries to accelerate the TPP negotiation on the basis of balancing interests of all participating parties and giving developing members, including Vietnam, an appropriate transitional period to realise the treaty. He spoke highly of the role of President Obama in the work.
For his part, President Obama renewed his commitment to enhancing the pair’s relations with a focus on prioritised areas so as to benefit the two people.
He applauded the two countries’ signing of the agreement for cooperation concerning peaceful uses of nuclear energy and expressed his belief that the ties in economy, security-defence, education-training, people-to-people exchange, and clean energy will be fostered.
He pledged to continue assisting Vietnam in dioxin detoxification and bomb and mine clearance while welcoming the country’s joining of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the other Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Regarding TPP negotiations, President Obama said he will consider granting necessary flexibilities for Vietnam that serve both sides’ benefits.
He said the US attaches importance to its collaboration with the Mekong Sub-region, which includes ensuring the effective and sustainable use of water resources.
The US will expand assistance to Vietnam and other countries within the Lower Mekong Initiative, he noted.
During their meeting, the two sides also exchanged views on important regional and international issues with a view to bolstering bilateral affiliation within relevant ASEAN forums, and actively contributing to maintaining regional peace, stability, security and cooperation.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung highly valued the US’s clear stance on the need to maintain peace, stability, and navigation security, safety and freedom, settle disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, exercise self-restraint, and not alter the status quo in the East Sea.
On this occasion, he also said he looked forward to the visit by President Obama and his spouse to Vietnam on the occasion of the 20 th anniversary of the two countries’ ties normalisation.-VNA
