Party chief reiterates importance of ties with US

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of attaching importance to ties with the US for the long-term interest of both peoples.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) receives US Senator John McCain. (Credit: VNA)

Receiving a delegation of US lawmakers led by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, Senator John McCain on May 27 in Hanoi, the Party leader said Vietnam will continue to pursue an external policy of independence, co-operation and development with a view to creating favourable conditions for its national construction and defence while contributing to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the wider world.

General Secretary Trong acknowledged the US co-operation in addressing war consequences in Vietnam and asked the US Congress and Government as well as Senator McCain himself to do more in this field to overcome consequences of the war, enhancing mutual trust thus laying foundation for the development of the bilateral ties between the two countries.

He reiterated Vietnam’s firm stance of safeguarding national sovereignty and integrity, first and foremost by peaceful measures in line with the United Nations Charter and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and striving for a Code of Conduct on the East Sea.

Vietnam protests all acts that ignore international law, break the status quo and threaten peace, security and stability in the region, he affirmed.

Senator McCain highlighted the progress made in the relations between the two countries, especially since establishing the comprehensive partnership in 2013, reiterating that the US wishes to further promote multifaceted co-operative ties with Vietnam.

The senator and the US delegates said they look forward to the Vietnamese Party leader’s visit to the US and pledged to do their best for the historic visit in order to reap the best possible outcomes.

US guests also expressed their concern regarding issues of security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region in general as wel as recent developments in the East Sea in particular.

They affirmed that the US continuously supports settling disputes via peaceful diplomatic measures on the basis of respect for international law and the 1982 United Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)