HANOI, May 10 (Xinhua) — A senior U.S. diplomat on Tuesday laid out five areas in connection vehicle with an upcoming visit by U.S. President Barack Obama to Vietnam later this month.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel made a speech at a press roundtable during his two-day tour to Vietnam, which is said to make preparation for Obama's visit.

Noting that he has been involved in the preparation of visits when he was working in the White House as well as now in the Department of State, Russel told reporters that he could give some insights about Vietnam-U.S. relationship and about the goal of Obama's visit.

"The organizing principle for the visit of President Obama is about past, present and future. We will continue to work to overcome the issues that come from our difficult past, including war-remaining issues," said the U.S. diplomat.

Firstly, "the visit will highlight a strong, secure, prosperous and independent Vietnam that respects universal human rights, and rule of law. It is not only in the interest of people in Vietnam, it is very much in the American interest, as well," Russel said.

Emphasizing that strengthening the U.S.-Vietnam partnership is an important element of his country's policy of rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region, Russel said, "It is also part of our economic agenda and Vietnam is the founding member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)."

Moreover, the U.S. official said expanding security cooperation is another important element of U.S.-Vietnam ongoing partnership both in terms of international peacekeeping, regional humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, as well as maritime security.

Meanwhile, "the second major element is our people-to-people ties, which have never been stronger through important new exchange programs like academic partnership, inauguration of Fulbright University in Vietnam, and other English teaching programs," he said, adding that thanks to those, "we are able to help invest in Vietnam's young people and Vietnam's future."

Thirdly, Obama and Vietnam's leaders will discuss ways to meet a range of regional and global challenges. "We are working together to address the impacts of climate change witnessed as serious drought that the Mekong countries are experiencing. And we are working together on other global issues like health and infectious diseases, and international terrorism," Russel told reporters.

Fourthly, the visit will deal with issues of the war -related cooperation in removing Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), locating and returning remains of the soldiers missing in action and sites that are contaminated with dioxin like in Vietnam's central Da Nang city, said Russel.

The fifth and the final issue is human rights. "We will discuss and work together to support and expand human rights, and legal reforms in Vietnam. This is a consistent and important element of our relationship," said the U.S. official.

"We have had significant dialogues with the government of Vietnam on human rights issues both through our human rights dialogues but also in each meeting that officials like me conducts. "

During Obama's visit, the two countries are expected to strengthen ongoing programs and activities that the they are currently engaged in and continuing their cooperation to deal with regional and global challenges, the U.S. assistant secretary told the press.

President Obama is expected to meet with Vietnam's new leadership in Hanoi, Russel said.

Also on Monday and Tuesday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Tom Malinowski is visiting Vietnam, engaging with government officials and civil society representatives.