US President to support Vietnam in the East Sea issue
On February 16, on the sidelines of the US - ASEAN Summit at Sunnylands, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had a meeting lasting 40 minutes with US President Barack Obama to discuss major cooperative areas between the two countries as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung called on the US to raise a strong voice and take more pragmatic and effective actions to ask for an end to the large-scale construction of man-made islands that have changed the status quo in the East Sea. Vietnam is deeply concerned about the increasingly complicated development of the East Sea situation which threatens peace, security, and maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the sea, Dung told his host.
He blamed the situation on the large-scale unilateral land reclamation of illegally-occupied islands and the large-scale construction of man-made islands from submerged features that have changed the status quo in the East Sea, as well as the militarisation reinforcement under various forms.
PM Dung called on the US to raise a strong voice and take more pragmatic and effective actions to ask for an end to such deeds, especially the large-scale construction of man-made islands and militarisation in the East Sea, respect for and the serious realisation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea, and the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct.
President Obama said the US is concerned about the East Sea issue and strongly supports diplomatic efforts and legal processes to handle the territorial disputes in the sea on the basis of respect for international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the DOC.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung used the occasion to call on parties engaging in the recently- signed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement to rapidly finalize their ratification. He proposed the US recognise Vietnam as a market economy as soon as possible and extend the transitional period for Vietnamese tra and basa fish exports from 18 months to three to four years, so that Vietnam can revamp its management measures to meet relevant rules stipulated in the US’s Farm Bill 2014.
The Vietnamese leader also called for the US’s technical support in managing food safety and hygiene of Vietnamese tra and basa fish exported to the US. He explained that Vietnam’s tra and basa fish exports to the US will encounter huge difficulties if there are no suitable solutions put in place, resulting in strongly reduced export revenues which will affect the daily life and employment of tens of millions of poor Vietnamese labourers.
President Obama agreed with PM Nguyen Tan Dung’s proposal while affirming that US agencies will work together Vietnam on solutions to the above-mentioned issues, in order to reinforce mutual trust and deepen understanding and comprehensive cooperative partnership in the future.
PM Dung expressed his hope that the visit will open up a new period of cooperation between the two nations for peace and for the development of the comprehensive cooperative partnership to lift bilateral ties to a higher level.
US President Barack Obama also said he is due to pay an official visit to Vietnam in May.
18:15, 2024/12/19
Highlights of Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024
A display of defense innovations at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024.
20:04, 2024/12/03
Vietnamese Pho continues to spread its international reach
Pho has followed Vietnamese people around the globe as a traditional dish loved by many foreigners, contributing to honoring the culinary culture of the “S-shaped country”.
17:10, 2024/10/25
Hanoi students honored for creative logo celebrating German-Vietnamese ties
The red, yellow and black logo designed by two students from Hanoi has won the logo design competition to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam.
10:44, 2024/10/06
Vietnam condemns violence by Chinese authorities in Hoang Sa
Vietnam expresses its discontent and vehement objection to the brutal actions of Chinese law enforcement authorities in the Hoang Sa archipelago, which have resulted in Vietnamese fishermen being injured, their lives threatened and their property damaged.
19:03, 2024/09/14
Hanoi set to pilot centralized government services
The centralized building and those of its branches for government services would be equipped with the latest facilities and technologies.
15:15, 2024/09/02
Vietnam National Day: Insights from expats
Vietnam’s glorious history and national pride on National Day has captivated international friends in Hanoi.
- Musical featuring the Spratlys to be aired
- Countries recognize Vietnam’s right to claim extended continental shelf in UN submission
- Vietnam submits limits of continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in respect of the East Sea's Central area
- Vietnam firmly rejects any activities in violation of its sovereignty over Hoang Sa, Truong Sa
- Dien Bien Phu Battle in memories of war veterans
- Vietnamese people flock to Dien Bien Phu to commemorate resounding victory