Washington D.C (VNA) – The 12th Vietnam-US Political,Security and Defence Dialogue was held in Washington D.C on March 30 under theco-chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis.

At the event, the two sides expressed their delight at the extensiveand practical development of the two countries’ relations in the bilateral,regional and international aspects based on the principle of respectingindependence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and political institutionsof each other.

Ngoc affirmed that Vietnam always considers the US as one ofits most important partners, while Lewis reaffirmed that the US consistentlysupports a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam.

The two sides emphasised the importance of bilateral meetings,consultations and delegation exchanges for the process of building trust andmutual understanding, and promoting cooperation and intertwined interestsbetween Vietnam and the US. They also affirmed that they will maintain frank,constructive and regular dialogues on controversial issues.

The officials recognised the progress of bilateral cooperationin the fields of defence and security, law enforcement and settlement ofpost-war consequences; while agreeing to continue developing bilateraldefence ties at a stable pace, in line with the interests, conditions andpolicies of each country, and to expand cooperation in cyber-security, fighting trans-national crimes, and participation in UN peace-keeping missions.

The two sides shared the determination to maintaincooperation in clearing mines and explosives, decontaminating dioxin, supportingwar-affected people in Vietnam, and searching the two countries’ soldiers missingin the war. Representatives of the US side reaffirmed their commitments tocontinue assisting Vietnam in improving its maritime capacity, law enforcementand identification of remains of Vietnamese soldiers through training andequipment transfer.

The two sides discussed several international and regionalissues of mutual concern, and stressed the importance of ensuring the rule oflaw, freedom and safety of navigation and aviation, and peaceful settlement ofdisputes on the basis of international law, without the threat or use of force.The US side affirmed its backing for ASEAN's consensus and central role in theregional security architecture.

The two sides agreed on the need to implement creativeand practical measures to promote the Mekong-US Partnership in the comingtime.

On the sidelines of the dialogue, Ngoc haddiscussions with leaders of the US Department of State, Department of Defence,and National Security Council, and some parliamentarians and advisers of the Congress,and representatives of US enterprises.

These meetings contributed to theimplementation of the outcomes of the high-level phone talks on March 29 between PartyGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden, and promotion of the bilateral agenda this year as the two countries are celebrating the 10th founding anniversary of the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Partnership (2013-2023)./.