(VOVworld) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Tuesday received US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in Hanoi. Clinton spoke highly of Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements and the new development of ties between the US and Vietnam. She said both sides need to continue exchanges to elevate bilateral ties to strategic partnership. Clinton reiterated the US value the multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, especially in economics, trade and investment.

PM Dung and Secretary of State Clinton also discussed recent developments in the East Sea and the Mekong sub-regional cooperation. Both leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and free navigation in the East Sea. They said disputes in the East Sea should be settled by peaceful means on the basis of the international laws, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2002 Declaration of Conduct of Parties (DOC), which will serve as a foundation for the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

In related news, PM Nguyen Tan Dung received representatives from more than 20 US companies, who are accompanying Secretary of State Clinton on her visit to Vietnam. PM Dung welcomed the visit, which he said demonstrates the interest of the US government and businesses to strengthening ties with Vietnam. He urged businesses from both countries to further tap potentials for mutual benefits. The PM said Vietnam creates favorable conditions for foreign investors, including those from the US, to do business in Vietnam.