Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meet in Hanoi on February 26, 2019 (Photo: VOV)

During talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Hanoi on Tuesday, Mr. Minh said Vietnam respects the comprehensive partnership with the US. The talks came on the occasion of the US Secretary of State’s visit to Vietnam for the second DPRK-USA Summit slated for Wednesday and Thursday.  Deputy PM Minh called on both sides to push forward collaboration in bomb and mine clearance, and provide greater support for Agent Orange victims. The Vietnamese diplomat hailed the US’ role in promoting the Lower Mekong Initiative and the ASEAN-US strategic partnership, and called for the US’ continued support for ASEAN’s central role and solidarity.

The two diplomats consented to intensify high-level exchange visits in the build up to the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2020. They also concurred to continue considering trade and investment cooperation the momentum of Vietnam-US ties, and pledged to step up education-training cooperation and people-to-people exchange. 

With regard to the East Sea issue, the two sides reaffirmed their support for the settlement of disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), on the basis of full respect for diplomatic and legal processes, effective and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early signing of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).