PM Phuc & President Trump discuss further enhancing ties

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and US President Donald Trump discussed measures to develop the two countries’ relations in a more substantive manner during their talks at the White House on May 31 (local time), the Vietnam News Agency reports..

After President Trump came to greet and invite PM Phuc to the White House, the former made an entry in the guest book at the Roosevelt Room and had a 15-minute private meeting with President Trump.

Later, they led the two countries’ delegations in talks in the Cabinet Room.

President Trump welcomed the official visit to the US by PM Phuc and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, affirming that he attaches importance to Vietnam-US relations as well as the role of Vietnam and ASEAN in the region. He said he wants the two countries’ ties to continue developing strongly in the time ahead.

PM Phuc acknowledged the warm welcome of President Trump and the US administration, stressing that Vietnam treasures its comprehensive partnership with the US and highly values recent steps taken by the Trump administration to implement policies towards the Asia-Pacific region.

The two leaders noted with satisfaction the extensive development of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership in various spheres, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and shared the view that there remain a number of opportunities for bilateral ties.

They affirmed the commitment to maintaining efforts to boost Vietnam-US relations in a stable, long-term, constructive, and mutual beneficiary fashion, which will not only benefit the two countries but also peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Asia-Pacific and the world, on the basis of compliance with the UN Charter and international law, and respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political regime.

Regarding ways to enhance the countries’ connections, they agreed to increase delegation exchanges and meetings, especially at high levels, improve the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, and consider the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms that suit the expansion of bilateral ties in the new period.

PM Phuc and President Trump agreed to join efforts to boost win-win economic partnerships. They emphasized that development cooperation remains a focus in the economic-trade relations between Vietnam and the US.

PM Phuc affirmed Vietnam’s resolve to press on with economic restructuring and integration into the world and stepping up the two countries’ win-win cooperation in economy, trade, and investment. He asked that both sides consider the formation of a value chain from production to consumption to make use of the two economies’ complementary features.

President Trump welcomed the settlement of some prioritized trade issues, including the opening of their markets for each other’s agricultural and industrial products and information technology products and services.

The two leaders were unanimous in effectively carrying out the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement to deal with bilateral economic problems in a constructive and fair spirit and to satisfy each side’s legitimate interests.

They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in other bilateral aspects such as humanitarian aid, the settlement of the consequences of war, people-to-people exchanges, science and technology, education and training, healthcare, and security and defense.

At the talks, PM Phuc and President Trump affirmed that Vietnam and the US share common interests in Asia-Pacific, including the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

The Vietnamese leader welcomes the US’s continued participation in and active contribution to the building of regional security and economic structures. He said that Vietnam will continue to work closely with the US, including in the upcoming APEC meetings and the East Asia Summit.

The US President noted his country continues to support ASEAN’s central role and promote the US-ASEAN strategic partnership. It also supports Vietnam to successfully organize APEC activities in 2017, adding that he looks forwards to his visit to Vietnam in November to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Additionally, the two leaders underlined the importance of the freedom of navigation in and overflight over the East Sea, affirming their support for the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, including the full respect for diplomatic and legal processes. They applauded the progress of negotiations on an effective and meaningful Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

PM Phuc and President Trump said they support denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula and asked all parties concerned to seriously implement relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

At the talks, PM Phuc, on behalf of the leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State, invited President Trump and his spouse and family to pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting this year. President Trump accepted the invitation.

Prior to the talks, PM Phuc and President Trump hosted a meeting with the press. The two sides issued a joint statement on Vietnam-US relations after the talks.