Vietnam, US make great strides in bilateral ties The US partial removal of its embargo against lethal weapon sales to Vietnam has showed a major step towards a "normal" relationship between the two nations. Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the remark in a recent media interview on the sidelines of the 13th ongoing National Assembly (NA) after he returned from his US trip in early October.   Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Mnh (L)and US Secretary of State John Kerry.  (Photo: AFP).  According to Minh, although the embargo is seen as a step forward, there remains some "obstacles", requiring greater efforts from both sides to improve deeper and substantial relations. The two countries are preparing to celebrate 20 years of normalization of bilateral relations with practical activities and high-level exchange visits. Reporter: Senator John Mc Cain, during his visit to Vietnam last August, expressed high hope that the US and Vietnam will establish a strategic partnership when they celebrate the 20th anniversary of normalized relations in 2015. What do you think about that? Is it possible to reach this goal after the two countries had established the framework of a comprehensive partnership? Mr Minh: During the official US visit by President Truong Tan Sang in 2013, both countries had established a comprehensive partnership, signifying their resolve to push up a bilateral relations substantially in all fields, principally in economics, trade, science-technology and education and other potential areas. The cooperation areas in relations with the US also helps Vietnam realize the target of building an industrialized country. Both sides always want to strengthen the relationship in an effective and substantial manner. Vietnam establishing the relation frameworks with other countries, especially with key partners affirm the nation’s rising international profile. Reporter: Does the partial removal of embargo help step up stronger bilateral security and defence cooperation? Mr Minh: The Vietnam-US relations under the comprehensive partnership framework means comprehensive relations in all areas, including defense and security, prominently demonstrated by exchange visits by defence senior leaders. Both sides are set to conduct more reciprocal defence delegation visits in the time ahead. Reporter:The comprehensive Vietnam- US relations in a multitude of areas shows positive signs. However, economic cooperation- a pillar in the bilateral relationship is seemingly a deadlocked story about the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement negotiations. In his meetings with US officials, how was the issue addressed?  Mr Minh: With 12 countries involving in the TPP, important decisions related to the trade pact can not be decided by just a nation, it depends on the outcomes of multilateral negotiations. If the TPP is reached, it opens door for Vietnam to achieve greater penetration of huge foreign markets. However, Vietnam is required to make commitments to a number of areas like other TPP members. Other countries are continuing negotiations and political commitments in a bid to reach a solution soon, later this year or early next year. Of course, it is not just an issue between Vietnam and the US but also a matter between the US with Japan and other nations. In a nutshell, all TPP members need to make a breakthrough in their negotiation process. An obstacle for Vietnam is that our country’s development level is lower than other TPP members. Vietnam wants the US and other countries to create a transitional period for it. When Vietnam joined the WTO or trade agreements, there should be a transitional period due to different levels of development. Another point is to ensure market access of Vietnamese goods, notably advantageous products like farm produce, garments and textiles and footwear. Reporter: In recent meetings on the East Sea issue between Vietnam and other regional countries, including the US, the concerned parties spared no efforts to keep the status quo to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea. What is your assessment of the initiatives and proposals by the US to join hands with other regional countries in maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea? Mr Minh:  The concerned parties interested in maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea has always underscored the need to properly implement the  the Declaration on Conduct of Parties on the East Sea (DOC), especially in the context of the Chinese illegal stationing of its oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. The question is how to specify and implement the DOC with a main focus on Article 5. Vietnam had strongly stressed this at recent ASEAN meetings to urge other regional nations to keep the status quo in the East Sea and guarantee regional security without expanding occupation, building more bases and turning uninhabited islands into inhabited ones. Reporter: Thank you very much. VOV