(VOVworld)- Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong received US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in Hanoi on Monday. The Party leader emphasized the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy of respecting ties with the US.

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong received US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in Hanoi on Monday

He acknowledged efforts made by the US government, Congress, independent organizations and ordinary people in dealing with the war’s aftermaths in Vietnam. He praised the cooperation between the Vietnamese Defense Ministry and the US Defense Department in clearing mines and bombs, detoxification of the environment, humanitarian assistance and searching for soldiers missing in action. Secretary Carter said the US wanted to further its multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam and agreed on the need to increase delegation exchanges. Carter stressed the importance of Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s upcoming visit to the US. He reiterated the US’s support for settling disputes in the East Sea through diplomatic efforts and with respect to international law.

President Truong Tan Sang receives US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter in Hanoi

At a reception for the US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter the same day, Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang said the Vietnam-US Joint Vision Statement lays a firm foundation for other bilateral cooperation agreements on this regard to become more practical. President Sang urged the two countries to soon conclude the negotiation on the Trans-Pacific Agreement, and work further to completely lift the US sanctions on lethal weapons against Vietnam. Sang said Vietnam would continue to cooperate with the US in the search for US soldiers missing in action, mine and bomb clearance, and detoxification of Agent Orange/dioxin in Da Nang and Bien Hoa. He asked the US to further assist Vietnam in improving the capacity of Vietnam’s maritime law enforcement force. He asked Secretary Carter to convey his invitation to visit Vietnam to President Barak Obama on the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

In regard to the East Sea issue, President Sang reiterated Vietnam’s stance on pursuing a policy of building a prosperous, independent, and self-reliant country and cooperating with other countries on the basis of solidarity and friendship. Sang said Vietnam strongly protested against activities that change the status quo in the East Sea and violate international law. He praised other countries for supporting Vietnam and ASEAN's stance in settling disputes in the East Sea. Secretary Carter said Vietnam and the US shared the same view on peace, security and safety of navigation in the East Sea. Carter urged the two countries to strengthen cooperation in this regard.