Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is ready to cooperate with President Donald Trump’sadministration to maintain the impetus for the development of bilateral ties,President Tran Dai Quang told US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius on March 31.

ThePresident affirmed that Vietnam will continue promoting the comprehensivepartnership with the US in a practical, constructive, stable and mutuallybenefiting manner on the basis of respect for each other’s politicalinstitutions, independence, national sovereignty and territorial integration.

Heasked Ambassador Osius to convey his thanks to President Trump for his recentletter on forging the bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Thetwo sides need to maintain high-level visits and contacts, President Quangsaid, stressing that this is significant to strengthening mutual understandingand trust.

ThePresident noted that Vietnam advocates free trade on the basis of equity and mutualbenefits, and will continue participating in and implementing its internationalcommitments, including free trade agreements (FTAs) which Vietnam considers asan impetus for restructuring the economy.

Healso urged the US to continue its support for Vietnam in addressing post-warconsequences, particularly projects to detoxify Agent Orange/dioxin and removebombs, mines and unexploded ordnance.  

Discussingthe regional situation with rapid and complicated developments that containrisks of conflict, President Quang stressed that Vietnam welcomes the US’s increasingcooperation with regional nations in maintaining freedom of navigation andaviation, and supports the settlement of disputes through diplomatic measuresand dialogues on the basis of international law, particularly the UnitedNations’ Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, and other relevant ASEAN’smechanisms, such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC)and working toward a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Forhis part, Ambassador Ted Osius pledged to continue working to persuade theGovernment, Congress and business community of the US to strengthen tiesbetween the two nations, while noting that the comprehensive partnershipbetween Vietnam and the US is enjoying development at all bilateral, regionaland global levels.

Herepeated the content of the US President’s letter dated February 2 to theVietnamese State leader, which affirmed the wish to boost cooperation withVietnam in economics-trade and in regional and international issues. The letteralso said the US wants to work with Vietnam and other nations in the region to ensurepeace and prosperity in the Asia – Pacific on the basis of respect for internationallaw.

TheAmbassador also spoke highly of the role of Vietnam in hosting the APEC Year 2017,particularly the success of the first APEC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM1) in Nha Trang, adding that the US President is considering attending the25th APEC Summit.

PresidentQuang said the US President’s participation in the Summit will contributesignificantly to the success of the meeting as well as to the role andreputation of APEC.

AmbassadorOsius affirmed that the US will continue working closely with Vietnam to ensurethe success of the Summit.-VNA