Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh meets US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Đặng Huyền

WASHINGTON D.C — Việt Nam treasured its relations with the US and was ready to discuss measures to deepen the comprehensive partnership on the basis of respecting independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political systems, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh.

Minh made the statement while meeting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US Deputy National Security Advisor Charles Kupperman and assistant to the US President Keith Kellogg in Washington on Wednesday.

Minh said he was happy with the positive developments of Việt Nam-US relations, saying both sides hold huge potential in bilateral, regional and international co-operation, so they should maintain sound trade ties and enhance collaboration in education-training, science-technology, security-defence and settlement of post-war consequences.
The US official spoke highly of relations with Việt Nam, and said they wanted to continue co-operation with the Southeast Asian country to bring ties to a new height.

The US side suggested both countries worked together to enhance the exchange of high-level delegations, boost economy-trade-investment relations, and support the settlement of the post-war aftermath, including dioxin detoxification at Việt Nam’s Biên Hòa Airport.
Lauding the role of the US in the Lower Mekong Initiative, Minh asked the country to further co-ordinate with Việt Nam at multilateral and regional mechanisms, especially when Việt Nam takes on the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.
On the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) issue, they reiterated their support for the settlement of disputes via peaceful measures in line with international laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea and based on full respect of diplomatic and legal progresses as well as the effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.
The US side pledged to play a positive role in the Asia-Pacific to maintain order and promote peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region.
Minh is on an official visit to the US from May 22-23 at the invitation of US Secretary of State Pompeo. — VNS