Prime Minister meets US foreign relations chief

PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) receives President of the US Council on Foreign Relations Richard N. Haass in Hanoi

Photo: VNA

Fifteen years after the establishment of diplomatic ties, the relationship between Vietnam and the US was growing well and bringing practical benefits to both sides, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said.

PM Dung delivered the remark while receiving in Hanoi Thursday President of the US Council on Foreign Relations Richard N. Haass, who is currently on a working visit to Vietnam .

“ Vietnam wishes that both countries will try their best to further deepen their relations to bring about practical benefits and contribute actively to peace and stability in the region and the world at large,” the Vietnamese leader said.

He spoke highly of the role of the President of the US Council on Foreign Relations and his goodwill to Vietnam and appreciated the Council’s attention and contribution to promoting the two countries’ cooperation.

PM Dung expressed his hope that the Foreign Relations Council, with its influence and prestige, would work hard to boost bilateral ties in economics, investment and trade, as well as education and training.

He asked the Council to use its influence to urge the US administration to grant preferential tariffs to Vietnam , not discriminate against Vietnamese commodities, support negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement, and take responsibility for Vietnamese people who were exposed to Agent Orange.

Richard N. Haass said he was impressed with Vietnam ’s socio-economic development gains as well as the growing ties between the two countries.

He said Vietnam had a high potential for further development and expressed his belief that Vietnam would grow stronger in the future.

The Council President highly valued and congratulated Vietnam on the outcomes it obtained while chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2010.

He pledged to work for enhancement of the two countries’ ties in the economy, investment, trade and education and training.

At the reception, the US Council President also showed his concern about recent developments in the East Sea and said he supported the maintenance of peace, stability and free maritime activities on the East Sea in line with international laws.