Vietnam-US ties continue to develop well Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has expressed his delight at the fine development of Vietnam-US relations on many fronts, especially since the two countries established a comprehensive partnership framework. At a reception for US Secretary of State John Kerry in Hanoi on January 13, the Vietnamese government leader said he believes that based on the existing platform, the two countries will continue to step up long-term, substantive and effective relationship on the basis of respect for each other's institutions and national development roadmap. Bilateral ties have grown steadily as evidenced by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s US visit in 2015, and President Obama’s trip to Vietnam in 2016. The cabinet leader also underlined the need to devise plans to continue to maintain momentum of relations, including maintaining meetings and exchange visits at all levels, and promoting cooperation in dealing with the consequences of war and other fields. PM Phuc reiterated Vietnamese leaders’ invitation to attend the APEC Summit in 2017 and to visit Vietnam to President-elect Donald Trump and stressed the economic and strategic importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement for member countries, including the US. The Vietnamese government leaders also praised the US’ positive contributions to promoting peace, stability, cooperation and development of the Asia - Pacific region and the world. PM Phuc thanked the US Secretary of State for his personal efforts to advance the normalization of Vietnam-US relations over the past decades. At a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Secretary of State John Kerry the same day, the Vietnamese side asked the US for an early recognition of market economic status, reduce trade barriers for Vietnamese goods and prioritize cooperation in overcoming war consequences. Deputy FM Son praised the significance of the ASEAN-US Strategic Partnership and expressed Vietnam’s willingness to cooperate with the US in uplifting ASEAN central role. Both discussed the East Sea situation and reiterated the necessity of international law compliance, diplomatic and legal procedures in addressing disputes for peace, stability, security, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. He also called on the US to prioritize cooperation in addressing war consequences, especially dioxin decontamination at Danang and Bien Hoa airports, and implement effectively the Joint Vision Statement on Defense Cooperation issued in 2015 and the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation signed in 2011. Secretary John Kerry reiterated the US commitment to respecting Vietnam’s political institution, independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity and supported Vietnam’s hosting of the APEC Year 2017.  He said the US has a long-term interest in the Asia Pacific and believed that the new US administration will continue fostering relations with the region. He said the US kept a close watch on the East Sea situation and supported dispute resolution through diplomatic and legal procedures based on international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The US diplomat expressed his pleasure to return to Vietnam, and said the two countries’ relations have developed well across many fields over the past 20 years. The US is willing to provide more assistance for Vietnam to cope with climate change, especially in developing clean energy, build sustainable infrastructure, manage water resources and ecological system, as well as accelerate the implementation of dioxin detoxification at Danang and Bien Hoa airports, he said. He noted that the official operation of the Fulbright University Vietnam will contribute to developing high-quality human resources in Vietnam. Kerry also supported the central role of ASEAN and stressed the US will continue coordinating with the association to strengthen intra-bloc solidarity and promote ASEAN-US strategic partnership.  The US also advocated the settlement of disputes in the East Sea via peaceful means and legal and diplomatic processes on the basic of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). During his visit to Vietnam, Kerry is to meet Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Dinh La Thang and delivered a speech about Vietnam-US relations. VOV