During his official to Vietnam from December 14-17, 2013, US Secretary of State John Kerry affirmed that the US places importance on the relations with Vietnam in its overall policy towards Asia-Pacific, wants to speed up cooperation with Vietnam in all fields, from politics-external relations, economics-trade and defence-security to healthcare, education, climate change and the handling of wartime consequences.

During their talks, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed their delight at the fine development of the two countries’ relations over the years, especially important breakthroughs since the two nations established the comprehensive partnership, including the two countries’ enhancement of exchanges between high-ranking delegations, the signing of an agreement on cooperation in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes (the so-called 123 Agreement) and practical progress in bilateral negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh applauded the US provision of 4.2 million dollars to help Vietnam enhance its capacity in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement and proposed the US side continue granting Vietnam flexibility in the negotiations and technical assistance while helping the country increase necessary capacities in implementing the agreement.

He also appreciated the two sides’ signing of a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation to surmount the consequences of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the war in Vietnam as well as the US environmental re-evaluation at Bien Hoa airport for the detoxification at the Agent Orange hotspot. He suggested the two sides step up their cooperation in science-technology, education and training, healthcare and humanitarian work to address post-war consequences, including the search for Vietnamese soldiers who went missing in action.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh also called on the US Government to open its doors to Vietnamese farm products and limit the number of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy lawsuits against Vietnam’s exports.

Secretary of State John Kerry underlined the significance of establishing the comprehensive partnership between the two countries. He affirmed that the US places importance on the relations with Vietnam in its overall policy towards Asia-Pacific, wants to speed up cooperation with Vietnam in all fields, from politics-external relations, economics-trade and defence-security to healthcare, education, climate change and the handling of wartime consequences.

The Secretary of State spoke highly of progress in the TPP negotiations and confirmed that the US will soon accomplish internal procedures to officially sign the 123 Agreement. He informed the Vietnamese side that the US will increase assistance to Vietnam in dealing with Agent Orange/dioxin issues and consequences of unexploded bombs and mines left over from the war, and reinforcing Mekong River water resource security through the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) and announced an aid package worth 17 million USD in the framework of the forest and delta programme for Vietnam to combat climate change.

The two sides discussed how to strengthen their partnerships in the framework of regional and international forums; affirmed support for unity in ASEAN and the bloc’s central role in regional cooperation mechanisms as well as in the evolving architecture in the Asia-Pacific region.

They affirmed to continue to work together in maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea, ensuring maritime and aviation freedom, safety and security. They were unanimous in agreeing that sovereignty disputes in the East Sea need to be addressed by peaceful measures, on the grounds of international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and with the stringent implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), looking forward to formulating a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC).

By VNA/VNP