Vietnam asks US to lift ban on weapon sales
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Vietnam and the United States need to strive more in trust-building process and elevation of bilateral ties, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung told US Defence Secretary Leon Edward Panetta in Hanoi on Monday.
To achieve the goal, the US government should totally lift the ban on selling weapons to Vietnam and work better in resolving war consequences, the premier said.
Dung said that Vietnam always reckoned the US as a leading partner of great importance, and hoped the US – as an Asia-Pacific power – would actively contribute to maintain peace, security, stability, co-operation and development in the region.
Panetta said the US government attached importance in boosting ties with Vietnam under its Asia-Pacific policy.
He also expressed his wish to expand cooperation between the two countries on various aspects, especially in security and defence.
Also on Monday, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks with Panetta, who introduced the new US defence strategies with a focus on enhancing co-operation with Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asian countries.
The two sides also affirmed to broaden co-operation on matters such as safety and security in the East Sea and water conservation and sustainable development of the Mekong River.
