Singapore (VNA) -Vietnam considers the US one of its leading important partners, Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc told US Vice President Mike Pence.

During their meeting on thesidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Singaporeon November 14, PM Phuc said Vietnam wants to lift the bilateral comprehensivepartnership to a new height on the basis of mutual respect for independence,sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions.

The PM suggested that the twosides should increase meetings and exchange of delegations, especiallyhigh-level delegations.

He applauded US leaders’commitments to cooperation in dealing with war consequences in Vietnam,including dioxin detoxification at Bien Hoa airport.

Vietnam will continue toconsitently implement the Doi Moi (reform) and international integrationprocess, improve its business environment, raise its intellectual propertyprotection capacity, ensure cyber security and safety, and abide byinternational financial and monetary standards, PM Phuc said.

He proposed the two countries furtherfacilitate their bilateral trade and investment ties, and satisfactorilyaddress concerns of each side, for the benefits of their people.  

The PM spoke highly ofcooperation between Vietnam and the US in regional and international issues. Healso commended the US’s affirmation to back the central role of the Associationof Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and regional mechanisms led by the bloc, aswell as cooperation initiatives contributing to peace and stability in theregion, and to respect independence and sovereignty of other nations.

Vietnam also welcomed the US’ssupport for ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea issue and negotiations on a Code ofConduct (COC) in the East Sea on the basis of respect for international law,including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), hesaid.

PM Phuc called on the US to backVietnam’s bid to run for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations SecurityCouncil (UNSC) for the 2020-2021 tenure, and join hands in promoting theASEAN-US strategic partnership when Vietnam assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in2020.

For his part, Vice PresidentPence stressed that the US supports a strong, independent and prosperousVietnam, and stands ready to cooperate with the country in matters of sharedconcern.

He agreed with PM Phuc’sproposals to increase the exchange of high-level delegations in the time ahead,especially on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of bilateraldiplomatic ties, and work together to settle each other’s concern in trade andinvestment collaboration.

The Vice President used theoccasion to thank the Vietnamese Government and people for their assistance tothe US in searching and repatriating remains of US servicemen missing in actionduring the war in Vietnam.

He also highlighted commoninterests in maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom ofnavigation and aviation, and respecting international law in the Indian and PacificOceans.

The Vice President laudedVietnam’s observance of the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions regardingthe Korean Peninsula and urged the country to continue backing dialogues betweenthe US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).-VNA