Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh reiterated
Vietnam’s commitments to negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership
while meeting Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy
Pelosi in Hanoi on March 31.
Vietnam asked for the
US’s flexible approach and support to Vietnam during the process, he
said, adding that the US is a leading partner of Vietnam in its foreign
policy.
In light of celebrations for the 20th
anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, Vietnam and the US should
facilitate high-level visits and promote well-rounded coordination,
especially across economics, trade and investment, he said.
The host also sought the US’s support to ease the after-effects of war in Vietnam.
Turning to developments in the Asia-Pacific, Southeast Asia and the
East Sea, Minh said Vietnam highly values the US’s position on the
settlement of disputes through peaceful means in line with international
law.
He hoped the US Congress would actively contribute to peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region.
Pelosi scored parliamentarians’ support for the Vietnam-US
comprehensive partnership and hoped for more coordinated efforts in
economics, education-training, and dealing with post-war consequences.
US parliamentarians also expressed their interest in
the East Sea and the TPP, learning about Vietnam’s perspective on and
commitments to the deal.
Meeting Vice President of
the Norwegian parliament Kenneth Svendsen the same day, Deputy PM Minh
thanked Norway for its official development assistance to Vietnam,
mostly in climate change response and environment, education and
capacity improvement.
He asked the parliament to
support Norwegian investors interested in Vietnam, especially those in
shipbuilding, maritime affairs, energy, and seafood.
Svendsen, who is visiting Vietnam for the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary
Union Assembly, said the Norwegian parliament will do its best to
reinforce its friendship and cooperation with the Vietnamese
legislature.
He said he is impressed by Vietnam’s
socio-economic progress, including the realisation of the United Nations
Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule.
Both sides committed to accelerating negotiations towards the signing of
a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free
Trade Association and to work collaboratively at multilateral forums and
international organisations, especially the United Nations.
In a separate reception for Chairperson of the Italian Senate’s
Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Pier Ferdinando Casini, Minh asked
for stronger efforts to further develop the Vietnam-Italy strategic
partnership, initially by designing an action plan to tap their trade
and investment potential.
Minh asked the Italian
parliament to back the expansion of ties between Vietnam and the
European Union and step up the approval of the Vietnam-EU Partnership
and Cooperation Agreement towards signing the Vietnam-EU FTA.
Casini said the Italian parliament will work on an action plan to
realise the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership for 2015-2016.
He told his host that the Italian business community is satisfied with
the Vietnamese business climate and looks forward to expanding their
operations in Vietnam.
The parliament supports measures to lift trade and multifaceted ties between the two nations, he affirmed.-VNA