Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh had a phone conversation with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo on Wednesday night. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The foreign ministers of Việt Nam and the US have pledged to enhance co-operation between the two countries based on respecting each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regime.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reached the agreement during their phone talks late Wednesday.

Both sides spoke highly of the close co-operation between the Vietnamese Minisry of Foreign Affairs and US Department of State over the years, contributing to promoting the bilateral partnership. They welcomed the flexible organisation of joint celebrations for the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the occasion, the two sides discussed the US Trade Representative’s ongoing investigation on Việt Nam’s monetary policy and wood materials.

Minh said the Vietnamese ministries and agencies will continue working with US partners to deal with issues of American and Vietnamese concern, maintaining a stable trade towards a harmonious, sustainable and mutually beneficial trade balance.

Pompeo, for his part, said the US attaches importance to and pledges to maintain a stable relationship with Việt Nam. The US supports a strong, independent and prosperous Việt Nam with an increasingly important role in the region, he said.

Previously on December 22, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc also held a phone call with US President Donald Trump, following the US Treasury Department’s decision to label Việt Nam a currency manipulator.

PM Phúc said that Việt Nam, as a developing country with limited economic capacity, has pursued a monetary policy in favour of inflation control and macro-economic stabilisation.

The Vietnamese Government leader emphasised that the policy is not meant to gain “competitive edges in international trade". — VNS