The National Assembly of Vietnam always wishes to strengthen its cooperation with the US Congress and people, thus lifting the relationship between the two countries to a new level of development.

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung made the statement while meeting with US Senator and ranking member of the US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker in Hanoi on August 4.

He described the visit as a contribution to fostering collaboration between the two legislatures and the two countries in general.

Corker held that with its potential and strategic geopolitical position, Vietnam will continue to strongly develop together with the Asia-Pacific region in the years to come.

He noted with pleasure that the two countries are working actively for the signing of many important cooperation agreements, creating a momentum for the development of bilateral ties for mutual interest.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed that the two legislatures should increase the exchange of delegations and the sharing of legislative experience, contributing to consolidating the friendship between the two peoples.

Host and guest also discussed a number of matters of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue.

Chairman Hung affirmed that Vietnam opposes China’s actions that harm the stability and maritime and aviation trading in the East Sea, causing deep concern among regional countries and threatening peace and stability in the region and the world.

He stated that Vietnam always pursues its consistent policy of maintaining peace and friendship with China as well as other countries in the region and the globe.

The country plans to use diplomatic measures, with consideration of legal solutions, to safeguard its sovereignty on the basis of international law, he added.

The top Vietnamese legislator expressed his wish that Corker and other US congressmen will continue their voice and actions backing Vietnam and promote peace, security, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Corker said the US Congress kept a close watch on the Ease Sea situation and opposed China ’s illegal placement of its rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam ’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in early May.

The same day, the American guests was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh who suggested that the US Congress continue supporting the promotion of economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Vietnam hopes to receive the US ’ continued flexible and preferential treatment in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, as well as its wider door for Vietnamese products, said he.

Deputy PM Minh also highly valued the US Senate’s voice to the maintenance of peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Raising his concern about recent developments in the East Sea since China illegally placed its rig in Vietnam’s waters, Corker said all disputes must be settled through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.-VNA