Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a meeting withUS President Donald Trump in Hanoi on November 12, during which the later expressedhis pleasure to meet the Vietnamese Government leader again.

The two sides said they were satisfied with the developmentin the bilateral relations after the US visit by PM Phuc in May 2017,particularly in the fields of politics-diplomacy, economics-trade,security-defense, and settlement of post-war consequences.

[Vietnam, US issue Joint Statement]

Vietnam and the US vowed to strengthen relationson the basis of respecting the respective independence, sovereignty,territorial integrity, and political systems, for the benefits of both peoplesas well as peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region andaround the world.

The host and guest exchanged specific measuresto promote economic-trade-investment partnership, focusing on building awin-win cooperation framework, minimising trade-investment disputes, andimplementing more effectively signed economic deals.

PM Phuc said Vietnam has been improving the businessenvironment and encouraging US companies to make investment in the country. Hecalled for stronger coordination to address issues of mutual concern based onpromoting trade for mutual benefits.

He thanked the US for opening its market forVietnam’s star apples and proposed the US consider the import of Vietnamesemangoes and other fruits while simplifying import procedures of the catfish inspectionprogramme and soon launching a working group on Vietnam’s market economy mechanism.

President Trump agreed to step up win-wineconomic-trade-investment cooperation with Vietnam, and lauded Vietnam’s effortin handling prioritised trade issues, such as  the opening of its market for US farm produce,industrial products, and information-technology products and services.

While discussing the regional situation, the twosides agreed to address disputes in the East Sea via peaceful means and in linewith international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS), while respecting diplomatic and legal processes, implementing fullyand effectively the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea(DOC), and soon signing a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.

They pledged to strengthen coordination atregional cooperation mechanisms, including the upcoming East Asia Summit in thePhilippines.

President Trump affirmed that the US will pushahead with cooperation with Vietnam to promote the bilateral comprehensivepartnership in a more practical and effective manner.

On November 12 afternoon, the President leftHanoi, wrapping up his State visit to Vietnam on November 11-12 at theinvitation of President Tran Dai Quang.-VNA