Vietnam eager to foster ties with US: National Assembly chairman Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung is seen in this file photo.Tuoi Tre  Vietnam hopes to deepen its multifaceted relations with the United States, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has said. The top Vietnamese legislator made the statement during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington on Wednesday evening (Vietnam time), according to the Vietnam News Agency.   Economic and trade cooperation has been the key element in bilateral ties since the two countries normalized their diplomatic relations 20 years ago, with trade turnover now amounting to US$40 billion a year, Chairman Hung said. He told his guest he believes the cooperation in this field will continue to develop in the future. Secretary Kerry said the U.S. will work with Vietnam and other countries in the region to conserve and effectively use Mekong River resources. He added that Washington will also assist Hanoi in dealing with climate change impacts, especially rising sea level. The diplomat told the host that the U.S. is ready to help the Vietnamese National Assembly in building and revising laws in compliance with the 2013 Constitution as well as with activities to overcome war consequences such as clearing landmines and supporting Agent Orange victims. The two sides also agreed that both countries need to accelerate the negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement and the approval of the pact after its signing for mutual interest. The TPP is a proposed regional free trade agreement aimed at eliminating tariffs and lowering non-tariff barriers that is being negotiated by 12 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region, which collectively contribute almost half of global output and over 40 percent of world trade. The 12 countries are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. The host and guest pledged to strengthen cooperation in maintaining peace and stability in the East Vietnam Sea for the benefits of the region and the world in general. Secretary Kerry expressed his support for Vietnam’s stance on settling disputes through peaceful means based on international law. TUOI TRE NEWS