Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc (right) and US Congressman Ted Yoho in their meeting on August 2.

At the meeting, the two officials exchanged views on various cooperation areas of Vietnam-US relationsas well as regional and globalissues of mutual concern.

Both sides expresseddelight at the strong development of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership on all nine pillars, particularly politics,diplomacy, economy-trade,security-defence, addressingwar aftermaths and people-to-people exchange.

They expected that the two nations will have more joint practical activities and enjoy newachievements to celebrate the 25th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

The two officials discussed measures to boost the bilateral economic-traderelations, highlighting Vietnam’s efforts to achieve a more trade balance withthe US and prevent violations of rules of origin as well as transshipment of goods.

Yoho, who isalso Lead Republican for the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, thePacific and Nonproliferation, unveiled that the US is encouraging enterprisesfrom Florida to invest in Vietnam.

The two sides franklyexchanged views on democracy andhuman rights, saying all differences can be resolved through constructivedialogue on the basis ofmutual understanding and respect.

The UScongressman also voiced deep concern over the current developments in the East Sea as China sent surveyvessels and escort ships to Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continentshelf, violating Vietnam’s sovereignty and jurisdiction.

He stronglyopposed China’s actions thathave infringed upon coastal nations’ sovereignty, run counter to international law and the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, militarised artificial islands illegally built on theEast Sea, used these entities to deploy activities, causing erosion of trust, increasing tensions, threatening freedom of navigation and aviation, and affecting peace and stability in the region.

Ngoc took theoccasion to thank members of the US Congress, including Yoho, for supporting and helping Vietnam deal with the war aftermaths suchas providing funds for dioxin decontamination at Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports.–VNA