Prime Minister bids farewell to US ambassador

(Bqp.vn) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung spoke highly of outgoing US Ambassador David Shear’s contributions to the development of ties between the two countries while hosting a reception to the diplomat in Hanoi on August 5.

PM Dung (right) receives outgoing US Ambassador David Shear. (photo: VGP)

He noted with pleasure that Vietnam and the US are enjoying a growing co-operation, with the lifting of bilateral ties to comprehensive partnership, increased two-way trade and sound collaboration in defence-security, education-training and unexploded ordnance clearance.

Vietnam attaches a special importance to developing ties with the US in all fields, PM Dung stressed, stating that Vietnam is willing to talk with the US on all issues, including human rights, on the basis of mutual understanding.

He also expressed his wish that the two countries will continue bolstering economic co-operation to meet their combined potential.

The government leader held that once reached, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will open up great opportunities for economic, trade and investment co-operation between the two countries.

Vietnam hopes the US will apply a flexible stance on Vietnam during the TPP negotiation process as Vietnam is standing at a low development level compared to other participants, he added.

In reply, Shear thanked Vietnamese authorities for supporting him during his tenure in the country, suggesting that the two sides continue working closely together to beef up economic, trade and investment partnerships and during TPP negotiations.

On the East Sea issue, the diplomat stated that peace, security and maritime and aviation freedom and safety are in the common interest of all regional countries, as well as the US and the rest of the world.

He held that one of the root causes of the poor security in the East Sea as well as the threat to peace and security in the region is China’s unreasonable “nine-dot line” claim. He then affirmed the US’s support for the settlement of the disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures in accordance with international law.

Shear also lauded Vietnam’s persistent efforts, together with other ASEAN members, to demand China to abide by international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), heading to the building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

(Source: VNA)