Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met Secretary Kerry
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed measures to accelerate the cooperation between the two nations in the time ahead in New York on September 27.
Both sides noted with pleasure the positive progress in the Vietnam-US relations, especially the recent upgrade of their ties to a comprehensive cooperative partnership.
Vietnam attaches special importance to bolstering cooperation with the US, for peace, stability and development in each nation, the regions and the world at large, PM Dung said.
He highly valued Kerry’s efforts in developing the Vietnam-US ties, especially his active contributions to President Truong Tan Sang’s July visit to the US, and suggested the US ease trade barriers and soon recognise Vietnam as a market economy.
He also spoke highly of US recent assistance to Vietnam in dealing with the war consequences, especially the Agent Orange/dioxin issue, and called on the US side to continue helping Vietnam in the work.
On the human rights, PM Dung said Vietnam and the US have established a dialogue mechanism and worked together in a cooperative and constructive spirit over the past time, preventing the issue from becoming a hindrance in the bilateral relations and cooperation.
He hailed the close coordination between the two sides at regional and global forums like the ASEAN Regional Forum, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, and the East Asia Summit.
The leader also praised the Lower Mekong Initiative, which, according to him, has narrowed the development gap, protected the environment, and linked sub-regional and Southeast Asian economies together.
Kerry said President Barack Obama pays great attention to the progress in the Vietnam-US cooperation and relations.
He thanked Vietnam for its strong commitments and active efforts during the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), especially the recent round in Brunei, adding that he hopes the TPP agreement will be signed soon.
The diplomat also said he believes the Vietnam-US relations will see further fine developments, especially in economics, trade and investment, adding that he will personally strive to help Vietnam solve the aftermath of the war.-VNA
