(VOVworld)- “We cannot change the history, but can change the future through cooperation”, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh was quoted as speaking on the Vietnam -US ties at the Center for Strategic and International Studies during his visit to the US this week. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted impressive progress in the Vietnam-US ties over the past 19 years. Minh said that after nearly 20 years of normalizing ties, two-way trade has increased by more than 130 folds, reaching 30 billion USD in 2013. The two countries have conducted several dialogues on a wide range of issues including politics, security, national defense, labor and human rights. Both countries are exerting every effort to solve remaining problems including consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin and land and mines left over from the war.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh delivers a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

Following his speech, the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister discussed with the delegates issues relating to the Vietnam-US ties and some other issues. In response to a Chinese reporter’s question on the Vietnam-US and the Vietnam-China relations, Minh said Vietnam pursues a policy of multi-lateralization and diversification of relations with all countries. Vietnam has established relations with all major countries, strategic partnership with China and comprehensive partnership with the US.

In response to a Russian reporter’s question on Cam Ranh bay, Minh said Vietnam plans to develop Cam Ranh bay into a civil port and welcome all support for the development of this region. Answering a question of an expert of the Brookings Institute regarding the nine-dotted line and the exclusive economic zone in the East Sea, Minh said China's unilateral claim of the nine-dotted line is groundless. According to international law, the exclusive economic zone of 200 miles is not in the disputed area and all activities in the region need approval of country of residence. Responding to a question of a scholar of George Washington University regarding sea and island sovereignty in the East Sea, Minh reiterated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

Nhat Quynh- Huy Hoang- VOV correspondent in the US