Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and US President Donald Trump discussed measures to develop the 2 countries’ relations in a more substantive manner during their talks at the White House, Washington DC, on May 31 (local time).

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) and US President Donald Trump (Photo: VNA)

After President Trump came to greet and invite PM Phuc to the White House, the Government leader of Viet Nam wrote in the guest book at the Roosevelt Room and had a 15-minute private meeting with President Trump.

Later, they led the 2 countries’ delegations to have talks at the Cabinet Room.

President Trump welcomed the official visit to the US by PM Phuc and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, affirming that he attaches importance to Viet Nam-US relations as well as the role of Viet Nam and ASEAN in the region.  He said he wants the 2 countries’ ties to continue developing strongly in the time ahead.

PM Phuc acknowledged the warm welcome of President Trump and the US administration, stressing that Viet Nam treasures its comprehensive partnership with the US and highly values recent steps taken by the Trump administration to implement the policy towards the Asian-Pacific region.

The 2 leaders noted with satisfaction the extensive development of the Viet Nam-US comprehensive partnership in various spheres, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and shared the view that there remain a number of opportunities for bilateral ties.

They affirmed the commitment to keeping efforts to boost Viet Nam-US relations in a stable, long-term, constructive and mutual beneficiary fashion, which will not only benefit the two countries but also peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia-Pacific and the world, on the basis of compliance with the UN Charter and international law, respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regime.

The talks between Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and US President Donald Trump (Photo: VNA)

Regarding ways to enhance the countries’ connections, they agreed to increase delegation exchanges and meetings, especially at high level, improve the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, and consider the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms that suit the expansion of bilateral ties in the new period.

PM Phuc and President Trump agreed to join efforts to boost win-win economic partnership.  They emphasised that development cooperation remains a focus in the economic-trade relations between Viet Nam and the US.

PM Phuc affirmed Viet Nam’s resolve to press on with economic restructuring and integration into the world, and stepping up the 2 countries’ win-win cooperation in economy, trade and investment.  He asked both sides consider the formation of a value chain from production to consumption to make use of the 2 economies’ complementary feature.

President Trump welcomed the settlement of some prioritised trade issues, including the opening of their markets for each other’s agricultural and industrial products and information technology products and services.

The 2 leaders were unanimous in effectively carrying out the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to deal with bilateral economic problems in a constructive and fair spirit and to satisfy each side’s legitimate interests.

They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in other bilateral aspects such as humanitarian aid, war consequences settlement, people-to-people exchanges, science-technology, education-training, health care, and defence-security.

At the talks, PM Phuc and President Trump affirmed that Viet Nam and the US share common interests in Asia-Pacific, including the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

The Vietnamese leader welcomes the US’s continued participation in and actively contribution to the building of regional security and economic structures.  He assured that Viet Nam will continue to work closely with the US, including in the upcoming APEC meetings and the East Asia Summit.

The US President noted his country continues to support ASEAN’s central role and promote the US-ASEAN strategic partnership.  It also supports Viet Nam to successfully organise APEC activities in 2017, adding that he looks forwards to his visit to Viet Nam in November to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Additionally, the two leaders underlined the importance of the freedom of navigation in and overflight over the East Sea, affirming their support for the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, including the full respect for diplomatic and legal processes.  They applauded the progress of negotiations on an effective and meaningful Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

PM Phuc and President Trump said they support the denuclearisation in the Korean Peninsula and asked all parties concerned to seriously implement relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

At the talks, PM Phuc, on behalf of the leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State, invited President Trump and his spouse and family to pay an official visit to Viet Nam and attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting this year.  President Trump accepted the invitation.

Prior to the talks, PM Phuc and President Trump hosted a meeting with the press.  The two sides issued a joint statement on Viet Nam-US relations after the talks.

(Source: VNA)