President Trần Đại Quang (R) receives US Ambassador to Việt Nam Ted Osius yesterday.— VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam is ready to co-operate with President Donald Trump’s administration and maintain the impetus for growing bilateral ties, President Trần Đại Quang told US Ambassador to Việt Nam Ted Osius yesterday.

The President affirmed that Việt Nam will continue promoting comprehensive partnership with the US in a practical, constructive, stable and mutually beneficial manner on the basis of respect for each other’s political institutions, independence, national sovereignty and territorial integration. 

He asked Ambassador Osius to convey his thanks to President Trump for the latter’s recent letter on strengthening bilateral co-operation between the two nations.

The two sides need to maintain high-level visits and contacts, President Quang said, adding this would strengthen mutual understanding and trust.

The President noted that Việt Nam advocates free trade on the basis of equitable, mutual benefit, and will continue implementing its international commitments, including free trade agreements (FTAs) that it sees as catalysts for growth.

He also urged the US to continue its support for Việt Nam in addressing post-war consequences, particularly projects to clean up Agent Orange/dioxin and remove unexploded ordnance.   

Referring to the “rapid and complicated developments” in the region that carry the risk of conflict, President Quang stressed that Việt Nam welcomes the US’s increasing co-operation with countries in the region for maintaining freedom of navigation and aviation, and supports for the settlement of disputes through diplomatic measures and dialogue on the basis of international law, particularly the United Nations’ Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, and other relevant ASEAN’s mechanisms, such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and working toward a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). 

For his part, Ambassador Osius pledged to continue working to persuade the US Government, Congress and business community to strengthen ties between the two nations.

He noted that the comprehensive partnership between Việt Nam and the US was enjoying development at all bilateral, regional and global levels. 

He emphasised the contents of Trump’s February 2 letter to the Vietnamese State leader, which affirms the wish to boost co-operation with Việt Nam in economy, trade and regional and international issues.

The letter also says the US wants to work with Việt Nam and other nations in the region to ensure peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region on the basis of respect for international law. 

The ambassador spoke highly of Việt Nam hosting the APEC Year 2017, in particularly the success of the first APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM 1).

The US President was considering attending the 25th APEC Summit, he said. 

President Quang said the US President’s participation in the summit would contribute significantly to its success and enhance the role and reputation of APEC.

Ambassador Osius affirmed that the US would continue working closely with Việt Nam to ensure the summit’s success. —  VNS