Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh held talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on August 7.
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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hails progress of human rights in Viet Nam.
Photo: VGP/Hai Minh |
Deputy PM Minh lauded the developments in the Viet Nam-U.S. relations after the two countries established the Comprehensive Partnership relations in 2013.
Viet Nam and the U.S. are sharing benefits in maintaining and promoting the bilateral relationship in various areas as well as sharing interests and responsibilities in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in Asia-Pacific, he said.
Deputy PM Minh proposed the two sides should continue high-ranking delegation exchanges and the U.S. should flexibly address the remaining issues related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership negations with Viet Nam.
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Mr. Kerry voices his support for deeper penetration of Vietnamese products, including farm produce, in the U.S. Photo: VGP/Hai Minh |
He urged the U.S. side to actively launch projects to help Viet Nam in fields of Agent/Orange cleanups, help the Southeast Asian country to adapt to climate change and fully lift its ban on lethal weapon sales to Viet Nam.
Expressing his pleasure to re-visit Viet Nam on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, Secretary of State John Kerry highly appreciated determination and efforts of Viet Nam in TPP negations, confirming his country’s determination to push all sides to conclude the TPP negotiations and the implementation of dioxin decontamination projects in Viet Nam.
Mr. Kerry voiced his support for deeper penetration of Vietnamese products, including farm produce, in the U.S.
The two leaders discussed regional issues, including the outcomes of the recent ASEAN meetings in Malaysia. The U.S. Secretary of State backed the central role of ASEAN, revealing that the U.S. will continue to cooperate in strengthening ASEAN solidarity.
Regarding the East Sea issue, they held that all relevant parties sides must strictly implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, work towards the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea and address disputes with peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
At the press conference after the talks, Mr. John Kerry hoped that the TPP negotiations will be concluded by the end of this year and all the relevant sides should consider the TPP as an opportunity to improve business standard and environment in the region.
He said Viet Nam has made progress in human rights by approving the UN Convention on against torture and amending the Constitution 2013.
Deputy PM Minh confirmed that Viet Nam is completing its legal system to promote human rights. The nation has joined almost all international Conventions on human rights and ready to exchange differences in human rights with other countries, including the U.S.
Regarding Fulbright University in Viet Nam, the Deputy PM highlighted the role of education cooperation in the two countries’ relationship. The establishment of an international-standard university will meet the nation’s demand for high-quality human resources to meet the requirements for its modernization process and help the country actively integrate into the world.