Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has held talks with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, who said the US hopes a strong, independent and prosperous Viet Nam will play an increasingly important role in the region.

At the talks in Hanoi on July 9, Deputy PM Minh highlighted the importance of Pompeo’s official visit, from July 8 to 9, to the two countries’ relations, noting that Viet Nam attaches importance to and hopes that the Viet Nam-US comprehensive partnership will continue to develop in a stable and result-oriented manner.

State Secretary Pompeo expressed his delight at his first trip to the Southeast Asian nation, adding that the US treasures the friendship and all-round cooperation with Viet Nam.

The two sides noted with satisfaction the substantive strides in bilateral relations and agreed to further enhance the Viet Nam-US comprehensive partnership in the interests of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

They agreed to increase mutual visits, especially those at high levels, and continue to consider trade and investment ties as a driving force for bilateral ties. They will also actively carry out defence agreements and bolster education-training connections and people-to-people exchange.

The officials applauded the successful implementation of the project on environmental remediation of dioxin contamination at Da Nang airport. State Secretary Pompeo said the US will soon carry out a similar project at Bien Hoa airport and will further assist Viet Nam to address war consequences.

At the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on regional and world issues of shared concern, including the East Sea situation. They voiced concern about the recent complicated happenings in the East Sea (South China Sea), reaffirming the support for peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (South China Sea), and efforts to finalize an effective and legally binding Code of Conduct in the waters.

Deputy PM Minh and State Secretary Pompeo agreed to increase coordination at regional and international forums. They shared the view on the need to maintain ASEAN’s central role in resolving regional issues and promoting the steady and effective expansion of the ASEAN-US strategic partnership, thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The host official highly valued relevant parties’ efforts to step up the peace and denuclearization process in the Korean Peninsula. He affirmed that Viet Nam supports all constructive efforts and dialogue towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Viet Nam will continue to be an active and responsible member of the international community in this process, he added