Long-term ties with US crucial: Party Secretary   Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomes US Senator John McCain in Ha Noi during his working visit to Viet Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo Tri Dung Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong reiterated Viet Nam's consistent policy of attaching importance to ties with the US for the long-term interest of both peoples. Receiving a delegation of US lawmakers yesterday in Ha Noi led by Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, the Party leader said Viet Nam will continue to pursue an external policy of independence, co-operation and development with a view to creating favourable conditions for its national construction and defence while contributing to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world. The General Secretary acknowledged co-operation with the US in addressing war consequences in Viet Nam. He asked the US Congress, government and Senator McCain himself to do more in this field to heal the wounds left by the war and enhance mutual trust, thus laying the foundation for the development of bilateral ties. He reiterated Viet Nam's firm stance on safeguarding national sovereignty and integrity, first and foremost, by peaceful measures in line with the UN Charter and international law – including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and a possible Code of Conduct on the East Sea. Viet Nam protested all acts that ignored international law; broke the status quo; and threatened peace, security and stability in the region, he said. McCain highlighted the progress made in the relations between the two countries, especially since they set up a comprehensive partnership in 2013. He said the US wished to further promote multifaceted ties with Viet Nam. The senator and the US delegates said they looked forward to the Vietnamese Party leader's visit to the US and pledged to do their best to reap the best outcome. The US guests also paid special attention to the issue of security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. They affirmed that the US supports settling disputes through peaceful, diplomatic measures on the basis of respect for international law – specifically the 1982 United Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS). Significant contributions   National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (right)  meets with US Senator John McCain in Ha Noi during his working visit to Viet Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sang Earlier in the day, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung met with McCain. During the talk, Hung noted that parliamentarians of both sides have made significant contributions to the expansion of Viet Nam-US investment and trade ties over the years. He suggested that the US Congress support and approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with Viet Nam, thus bolstering economic, security and defence relations. He also proposed that both sides exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. The NA leader affirmed that Viet Nam has been carrying out a policy of active international integration and is ready to be a trustworthy partner for all countries, including the US. Senator McCain expressed his optimism that the TPP would be agreed on soon, allowing member countries to enjoy favourable trade conditions. The US senator also voiced his concern about the East Sea situation, highlighting that all disputes should be settled through peaceful measures in conformity with international law.   Minister of Defence, General Phung Quang Thanh meets with Senator McCain the same day. — VNA/VNS Photo Trong Duc Minister of Defence, General Phung Quang Thanh also met Senator McCain the same day. The General said he hoped to see a greater degree in defence and security co-operation, 20 years after the normalisation of diplomatic between the two countries. Senator McCain expressed gratitude toward the Vietnamese Government and its people for their support and co-operation in the search for the remains of missing US soldiers. The Senator said defence and security co-operation would remain one of the key pillars of co-operation between Viet Nam and the US. — VNS