National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Senator Jeff Merkley (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always considers the US one of the top importantpartners, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue told a delegation of members of the US Congress led by Senator JeffMerkley during a reception in Hanoi on April 8.
NA ChairmanHue stressed that Vietnam wishes to develop a stable and long-term strategicpartnership with the US in a substantive, trustworthy and extensive manner inthe spirit of setting aside the past and looking toward the future, and respecting independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regime of eachother.
He spoke highly of the US’s consistent message of supportinga strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam.
The US Congress members hailed bilateral cooperation programmes andactivities over the past years, especially in dealing with war aftermath, supporting people made disabled by war, and Agent Orange/dioxin remediation. They emphasised theimportance of DNA analysis to support the search for the remains of US andVietnamese soldiers missing in action, which is an important activity that willcontinue in the future.
Theyexpressed wish to continue building a deeper and stronger relationship between the twopeoples, and vowed to exert further efforts toupgrade bilateral ties in the coming time.
Speakinghighly of Vietnam’s commitments at the 26th United Nations ClimateChange Conference of Parties (COP-26), the guests said the US wants tocooperate with Vietnam via specific actions, including in clean energytransition, adding that US firms want to access clean energy like solar andwind power and seek markets with high labour standards.
Bothsides underlined the importance of building legal frameworks and suitable mechanisms todeliver on commitments at the COP-26.
The top Vietnamese legislator wished to further reinforce cooperation betweenthe two legislatures in all areas and via all channels. He hoped both sideswill set up a cooperation framework, consider building a mechanism forexchanges and official working sessions between their agencies, and strengthenties among parliamentarians’ groups. He wished that the US Congress would soonset up the US-Vietnam Friendly Parliamentarians’ Group.
On regional and global issues of shared concern, including theEast Sea issue, host and guest highlighted the need to maintain peace, stability, cooperation,ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, refrain from using or threatening touse force in international relations, and abide by international law, includingthe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The US Congress members expressedtheir hope for the early signing of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework forProsperity (IPEF) while reiterating the importance that the US attaches to the ASEAN and itssupport for ASEAN's central role. They also pledged to continue promotingASEAN-US relations in the future to address common issues such as climatechange.
Regarding the IPEF, Hue said Vietnam is actively considering the pillars of cooperation within the IPEF, adding that Vietnam is ready to hold discussions with partners on the basis of international law, respect for countries' independence, sovereignty and national security, equality, and mutual benefit.
The Vietnamese NA leader affirmed that Vietnam always respects and protects human rights and citizens' rights in accordance with its Constitution and laws. The country also respects and fully follows internationalconventions on human rights that it has signed and joined, he added.
On the occasion, Chairman Hue extended an invitation to young members of the US Congress to attend the ninth Global Conferenceof Young Parliamentarians which will be hosted by the Vietnamese NA inSeptember./.
