VGP - State President Trương Tấn Sang on November 11 met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after he arrived in Honolulu for the 19th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting.
 |
| State President Trương Tấn Sang (R) and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Honolulu, the US, November 11, 2011 - Photo: VNA |
The Vietnamese leader said that the recent strong development of Việt Nam-US relations on bilateral and multilateral scale will create an important foundation to lift bilateral ties to a new height.
Việt Nam always attaches importance to relations with the US as a strategic partner, said State President Sang. He also praised Ms. Hillary Clinton’s contributions to the development of the bilateral ties.
Secretary of State Clinton affirmed the US continues to attach importance and wants to further bolster multifaceted cooperation with Việt Nam, including bringing the two countries’ relationship towards the strategic partnership.
She said the US will continue its cooperation with concerned parties to contribute to maritime freedom and safety, support the peaceful settlement of sovereignty disputes in the East Sea on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the East Sea (DOC), opposes the use of force, supports countries that have rights to exploit resources within their economic exclusive zone and welcomes efforts to establish the Code of Conduct (COC) of Parties in the East Sea.
State President Sang welcomed stronger cooperation between the US and Asia-Pacific for peace, stability and development in the region.
The State President expressed his belief that the APEC Week will make important contributions to promoting cooperation, connectivity and economic recovery in the region and raise APEC’s prestige.
The same day, State President Sang also met with Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie, who welcomed President Sang to the 19th APEC Leaders’ Week.
At a meeting with leaders of the US businesses, Sang affirmed Việt Nam’s efforts in improving business environment, and creating favorable conditions for foreign businesses to operate in Việt Nam.
The State leader asked businesses to request the US government to promptly recognize Việt Nam as a market economy and grant it the generalized system of preferences.
By Hải Minh