(VOVworld) – President Truong Tan Sang delivered a speech Wednesday at a banquet hosted by US Secretary of State John Kerry. President Sang briefed his host on Vietnam’s development achievements and policies, which focus on maintaining the growth rate, improving people’s lives, reforming the economy, boosting administrative reform, and reducing corruption.

President Truong Tan Sang and US Secretary of State John Kerry (Source: VNA)

Amid regional and global complications, President Sang stressed the role of powerful countries like the US. "In our external policy, Vietnam always respects and considers the US its top partner. Bilateral relations have seen positive progress based on the foundation of positive partnership, friendly, constructive, and multifaceted cooperation, and mutual respect and benefit. The two countries have cooperated closely on issues like anti-terrorism, maritime security, and climate change response. The two countries are working to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to balance bilateral interests." Sang said.

President Sang praised economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and said there should be enhanced cooperation in education, science and technology, and healthcare. Dialogues on human rights should be continued in order to improve understanding of each other’s history and culture. President Sang said Vietnam has made an effort to raise people’s living standards, ensure freedom of religion and belief, and promote cultural traditions. Mentioning opportunities to strengthen ties, Mr. Sang expressed his hope that, with the cooperation developed over the past 18 years and the continuous effort of the two governments and people, the Vietnam-US relationship will continue to flourish, playing a role in maintaining stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region.

At meetings with US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Trade Representative Michael Froman, the US officials said the two countries have an opportunity to grow rapidly in the future and promised to support multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam. US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Trade Representative Michael Froman stressed the determination of the US and other countries to advance TPP negotiations and praised the just-concluded negotiation between Vietnam and the US in Malaysia. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack pledged to support training programs for Vietnam. President Sang said the TPP should be a balanced agreement which takes into consideration the development targets and level of its members. He asked the US to open its markets to Vietnamese products to ensure the legitimate rights of Vietnamese enterprises and workers and American consumers. He pointed out that law suits for dumping or subsidizing of Vietnam tra fish and shrimp have negatively impacted millions of Vietnamese farmers and rural poverty reduction efforts. President Sang asked the US to list Vietnam as a developing country and offer technical assistance for capacity improvement and training high quality personnel. He asked the US to recognize Vietnam’s market mechanism and said the two countries should discuss a framework for agricultural cooperation.