(VOVworld)- Economic, trade, and investment cooperation continues to be the driving force for Vietnam-US ties, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc told the media on the occasion of US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Vietnam.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc (Photo: infonet.vn)

Mr. Ngoc said Vietnam has a consistent policy of attaching importance to its relations with the US and is ready to work with the new US administration to uphold the achievements of the past 8 years and bring them to a new height on the basis of mutual respect for the political system, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of the other.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ngoc said Vietnam will cooperate with partners including the US to reach set goals in accordance with international law; maintain a multipolar world; democratize the region; and boost the central role of ASEAN.

Vietnam will also continue cooperating with the US in the fight against terrorism, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, climate change response, and ensuring energy, food, and water security.