WASHINGTON — The head of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party said Wednesday that differences with the United States on human rights should not be allowed to obstruct the deepening of relations between the former enemies.

Nguyen Phu Trong, the one-party state’s de facto leader, spoke at a Washington think tank after an unprecedented meeting Tuesday with President Barack Obama at the White House.

Trong’s visit comes 40 years after the end of the Vietnam War and 20 years after Washington and Hanoi restored diplomatic relations. On Capitol Hill, meanwhile, lawmakers honored American veterans at a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the arrival of U.S. ground troops in Vietnam.

Trong called for the two nations to take relations “to the next level” after declaring a comprehensive partnership in 2013. He said they have a common interest in peaceful resolution of disputes and freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea, and there was lots of potential to increase trade.

U.S. officials see stronger ties with Vietnam as a linchpin in Obama’s Asia policy, and last fall eased restrictions on sales of lethal weaponry to Vietnam for maritime security as concern grows over Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea, which is an important conduit for world trade.

Human rights have remained a sore point, although the U.S. says Vietnam’s prosecution of dissidents has decreased. According to the State Department, Vietnam was holding about 125 political prisoners at the end of 2014.

Copy the Story Link