PM welcomes Secretary of US Department of Commerce

PM Nguyen Tan Dung welcomed Secretary of US Department of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Ha Noi, June 2, 2014 - Photo: VGP

The Government chief noted that the relations between Viet Nam and the US have been developing well in various fields, adding that Viet Nam expects to work with the US to further enhance the bilateral ties, especially in economy, trade and investment.

Regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks, PM Dung said that the conclusion of the agreement would bring practical benefits to all the participating members. He also took the occasion to hope for flexibility in the talks so that the deal can suit the development of Viet Nam.

The US has become one of the top trade partners and investors of Viet Nam but the cooperation potentials remain vast and both sides need to lift up the two-way trade ties to higher levels in the years to come, PM Dung said.

Viet Nam will create favorable conditions for the American investors to do long-term business in the country, affirmed PM Dung.

The PM also asked the US businesses to advocate Viet Nam in the TPP talks and urge the US Government to soon recognize Viet Nam’s market economy status.

For the East Sea issue, PM Dung said that since May 1^st 2014, China brazenly moved its deep-water drilling rig to the Vietnamese waters. The China's move seriously violates international law and threatens peace and stability in the region.

Viet Nam will resort to all peaceful measures to protect its national sovereignty in accordance with internation law. The country has communicated with the Chinese side for over 30 times to lodge protest and demand China immediately withdraw its oil rig from Viet Nam's waters.

PM Dung thanked the US for timely voicing opposition to China’s illegal installation of the drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, calling on the US as well as investors to continue condemning the China's move in the East Sea.

Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said that the US attaches importance to cooperation with Viet Nam in all areas.

She said that the business delegation’s visit to Viet Nam aims to strengthen economic, trade and investment linkages between the two countries.

She also thanked the Vietnamese Government for its efforts in consolidating investors’ confidence as committed upon joining the World Trade Organization and facilitating foreign investments in Viet Nam.

The US official said that her country will coordinate closely with TPP members for early conclusion of the agreement.

Meanwhile, American investors raised their support for Viet Nam in TPP talks, saying that they will ask the US Government to soon recognize Viet Nam’s market economy status.

By Hai Minh