Vietnam, US to boost bilateral ties
(VOVworld) – State President Truong Tan Sang has expressed his hope that the US will continue its strong support to ensure the implementation of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, to ensure regional peace, stability, and promote this spirit among other countries. He was speaking during a reception on Wednesday for Benjamin Cardin, Chairman of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee under the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. President Sang briefed his guest on Vietnam’s rapidly restructuring economy. He expressed his belief that Benjamin Cardin’s activities would contribute to enhancing bilateral relations, and speeding up an early recognition of Vietnam’s market economy. President Sang added that the removal of a ban on antipersonnel weapons was of great bilateral political importance, reflecting the two countries’ mutual political trust.
The President clearly stressed human rights issues were of paramount importance in Vietnam’s new Constitution, adding that Vietnam will have appropriate institutional reforms to protect human rights. He pledged that Vietnam would carefully consider specific human rights cases concerning the US, noting that both sides should maintain a dialogue mechanism to enhance mutual trust.