Vietnam considers the US one of the leading partners in its foreign policy, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told Patrick Leahy, President pro tempore of the US Senate, in Hanoi on April 17.

Trong noted with satisfaction the marked progress in bilateral relations, especially after the two countries established comprehensive partnership in July 2013, and said they need to maintain and promote Vietnam-US relations at all levels.

He proposed the US increase cooperation with Vietnam within existing mechanisms and frameworks, and support the country in overcoming war aftermath, including clearing unexploded ordnance and assisting victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) proposed US help overcome war aftermath while receiving Patrick Leahy, President pro tempore of the US Senate, in Hanoi on April 17

He said he expects to see new developments in bilateral friendship and cooperation, primarily when the two countries are celebrating 20 years of diplomatic ties in 2015.

Senator Patrick Leahy spoke highly of Vietnam’s increasing role and position globally, and said the Congress and government of the US want to further strengthen all-round cooperation with Vietnam to realise their comprehensive partnership.

He showed his interest in developing relations between the two legislative bodies and voiced his support for establishing and strengthening relations through delegation exchanges between the two countries.

He thanked the State and people of Vietnam for their goodwill towards the search for US personnel missing in action (MIA), and pledged to cooperate with Vietnam in addressing war aftermath.

Both host and guest exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual concern.

Chief legislator proposes new Vietnam-US relationship

Vietnam and the US should make a greater effort to address pending issues and look forward to building a new relationship in the long-term interests of the two peoples.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung made the statement while holding talks with Patrick Leahy, President pro tempore of the US Senate, in Hanoi on April 17.

Vietnam attaches importance to relations with the US and is determined to realise agreements in line with the current comprehensive partnership between the two countries, Hung said.

He thanked Patrick Leahy and other US senators for their efforts in healing the wound of the past war and suggested both countries should work closely to accelerate this activity.

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung propopsed the US early recognise Vietnam's market economy status during talks with Patrick Leahy, President pro tempore of the US Senate, in Hanoi on April 17

Hung noted although two-way trade hit US$29 billion and US investment in Vietnam rose to more than US$10 billion last year, bilateral cooperation has yet to match both countries’ potential.

He proposed the two legislative bodies increase exchange to early recognise Vietnam’s market economy status and speed up ongoing negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement for mutual benefits.

He expressed hope US Congress will earmark reasonable budget for humanitarian work in Vietnam, including searching for personnel missing in action (MIA), assisting disabled people, and clearing unexploded ordnance.

Both sides need to increase delegation exchange to seek appropriate dialogue mechanisms, and share information and experience in legislation, he said.

For his part, Patrick Leahy voiced the US Senate’s strong support for cooperation efforts between the US and Vietnam, especially in settling war aftermath.

He expressed hope young generations of the two countries will inherit and foster bilateral relations to live up to expectations of the two peoples.

On this occasion, NA Chairman Hung invited Patrick Leahy and the US Congress delegation to attend the 132nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to be held in Hanoi in 2015.

Vietnam and the US established comprehensive partnership during State President Truong Tan Sang’s US visit in 2013. Both countries will celebrate 20 years of diplomatic ties in 2015. 

VOV/VNA/VNN