US House Speaker Paul Ryan holds a news conference following a private meeting with Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, the United States, May 12, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

WASHINGTON - Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Thursday the two were "totally committed" to cooperation.

"While we were honest about our few difference, we recognize that there are also many important areas of common ground," said Trump and Ryan in a joint statement after their first meeting since Trump became the presumptive GOP nominee.

"We will be having additional discussions, but remain confident there's a great opportunity to unify our party and win this fall, and we are totally committed to working together to achieve that goal," said the statement.

The "very encouraging" meeting with Trump, as described by Ryan here at a press conference, came amid deepened rift between the two after Ryan said last week that he was "not ready" right now to endorse Trump, a candidate famous for his bombastic style and incendiary remarks.