Hanoi, Oct. 6 -- The top Vietnamese leader said both sides uphold the principles of international law and the United Nations, back the maintenance of maritime freedom and safety as well as the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures with respect for international law, the United Nations Charter, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

To Lam also announced that the two sides adopted a Joint Statement charting major orientations, targets, principles, and cooperation fields for the coming time; agreed to facilitate market access.

Meanwhile, President Jose Raul Mulino underscored the importance of expanding and diversifying Panama's external relations, saying Viet Nam is an important partner of his country in...