The US is regarded as one of Vietnam’s most important partners and Hanoi expects to upgrade ties with Washington, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a meeting with the US’s Vice President Mike Pence on November 14, the Vietnamese government portal reported. 
PM Phuc meets US Vice President Mike Pence in Singapore on November 14. Photo: VGP
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One of measures to boost the bilateral ties is to continue exchanging meetings among senior officials, the PM said.
Phuc pledged that Vietnam would consistently pursue its policies in improving investment environment and intellectual property protection, ensuring security and cyberspace security, and following international finance and money standards as well to favor the bilateral trade.
He appreciated the US’s commitments in solving the war legacies, including the cleanup of toxic chemicals in Bien Hoa airport, and the US’s role and support in global issues, mostly those helping to keep the peace and stability in the South China Sea, which Vietnam calls East Sea.
Vietnam expects the US to support Vietnam’s running for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations’ Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.
In turn, Mr. Pence said that the US supports the independence, sovereignty, and prosperity of Vietnam. The US would continue working for the peace, security, and the freedom of sea and air navigation in Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean.
An event held on the 20th anniversary of the bilateral relationship in 2015. Photo: Internet
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“The United States called on China to withdraw its missile systems from disputed features in the Spratly Islands, and reaffirmed that all countries should avoid addressing disputes through coercion or intimidation,” said the statement.
Washington would partner with Hanoi in common issues, mainly investment and trade. He thanked Vietnam’s efforts in the searching and repatriation of American soldiers’ remains. In addition, Washington hopes that Hanoi would support the dialogue between the US and North Korea.
"Noting the 25th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations in 2020, they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across economic and security realms, including by addressing barriers to trade and by enhancing maritime security cooperation in the South China Sea," the Office of the Vice President said in an readout today.
Vietnam and the US normalized the ties in 1995. The two-way trade rose to US$50.8 billion by end-2017 from US$1.4 billion in 2001 – the year before the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) took effect.
Vice President Pence appreciated Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's invitation to visit Vietnam in 2019, according to the readout.
