Vietnam treasures comprehensive partnership with US
VOV.VN - Vietnam treasures its comprehensive partnership with the United States, and wishes to elevate this partnership to new heights, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue told visiting US congressmen in Hanoi on April 8.
He welcomed the US Congressmen’s visit and affirmed Vietnam always considers the US as one of its top important partners. He highly appreciated the US maintaining its view of supporting a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam.
Cooperation between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the US Congress is a key pillar in the Vietnam – US relations, Hue stressed adding such cooperation should be enhanced to support stronger development between the two countries in future.
He suggested that the two legislatures soon formulate a cooperation framework and working mechanism between their committees, and increase parliamentary exchanges, especially among young and female parliamentarians. He also suggested that the US Congress soon establish the US-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group to boost exchanges between the two sides.
With regard to climate change challenges, Hue said Vietnam identifies climate change response as one of its key and urgent tasks, and it is actively working with the international community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Vietnam expects to receive support from the US to effectively implement its climate commitments, he said.
Senator Jeff Merkley, on behalf of the US Congressmen, said their visit is an important activity to promote ties between the two legislatures and build a better foundation for future cooperation.
The US congressmen spoke highly of the results of cooperation programmes and activities between the two countries over the years, especially in dealing with war consequences, supporting people with disabilities due to the past war, and decontaminating dioxin. They emphasized that DNA analysis to support the search for remains of US soldiers and Vietnamese soldiers missing in action is an important project that would continue to be deployed in the near future.
The congressmen expressed their impression of Vietnam’s dynamic development and pledged strong support for efforts to upgrade the relations between the two countries in the coming time.
They highly valued Vietnam’s net zero greenhouse gas emissions commitment at the 26th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP26), and said the US desires to cooperate with Vietnam in specific fields, including energy transition. They showed interest in Vietnam’s National Power Development Plan VIII, and said US businesses want to invest in clean energy projects as well as digital transformation in Vietnam.
Both host and guests highlighted the importance of building a legal framework for realizing the COP26 commitments, noting the two sides should jointly promote cooperation to share and solve common difficulties and challenges.
The US congressmen reiterated the US’ consistent view of supporting ASEAN’s central role as well as promoting ASEAN-US relations to solve common issues such as climate change. They expressed hope that the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) would be signed soon;
In reply, Hue said Vietnam is willing to discuss IPEF with partners on line with international law, and in respect of independence, sovereignty, national security, equality, and mutual benefit, contributing to peace and development in the region.
Vietnam is actively considering cooperation pillars under the IPEF framework, he told his guests.
In a sincere and open atmosphere, Hue assured that Vietnam always respects and ensures human rights and citizens’ rights according to the Constitution and the law.
Vietnam always respects and fully implements international conventions on human rights that it has signed and acceded to, affirmed the chairman.
On this occasion, he extended an invitation to the group of young US congressmen to attend the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians to be hosted by the National Assembly of Vietnam this September.
Senator Jeff Merkley is leading the US Congress delegation on a Vietnam visit. Other members of the delegation are Senator Chris Van Hollen, and Representatives Lloyd Doggett, Pramila Jayapal and Ilhan Omar.
They are scheduled to take part in activities in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and some southern localities to promote the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam – US Comprehensive Partnership (2013-2023).