National Assembly Chairman hosts members of US Congress
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always considers the US one of the top important
partners, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue told a delegation of members of the US Congress led by Senator Jeff
Merkley during a reception in Hanoi on April 8.
NA Chairman
Hue stressed that Vietnam wishes to develop a stable and long-term strategic
partnership with the US in a substantive, trustworthy and extensive manner in
the spirit of setting aside the past and looking toward the future, and respecting independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regime of each
other.
He spoke highly of the US’s consistent message of supporting
a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam.
The US Congress members hailed bilateral cooperation programmes and
activities over the past years, especially in dealing with war aftermath, supporting people made disabled by war, and Agent Orange/dioxin remediation. They emphasised the
importance of DNA analysis to support the search for the remains of US and
Vietnamese soldiers missing in action, which is an important activity that will
continue in the future.
They
expressed wish to continue building a deeper and stronger relationship between the two
peoples, and vowed to exert further efforts to
upgrade bilateral ties in the coming time.
Speaking
highly of Vietnam’s commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate
Change Conference of Parties (COP-26), the guests said the US wants to
cooperate with Vietnam via specific actions, including in clean energy
transition, adding that US firms want to access clean energy like solar and
wind power and seek markets with high labour standards.
Both
sides underlined the importance of building legal frameworks and suitable mechanisms to
deliver on commitments at the COP-26.
The top Vietnamese legislator wished to further reinforce cooperation between
the two legislatures in all areas and via all channels. He hoped both sides
will set up a cooperation framework, consider building a mechanism for
exchanges and official working sessions between their agencies, and strengthen
ties among parliamentarians’ groups. He wished that the US Congress would soon
set up the US-Vietnam Friendly Parliamentarians’ Group.
On regional and global issues of shared concern, including the
East Sea issue, host and guest highlighted the need to maintain peace, stability, cooperation,
ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, refrain from using or threatening to
use force in international relations, and abide by international law, including
the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The US Congress members expressed
their hope for the early signing of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for
Prosperity (IPEF) while reiterating the importance that the US attaches to the ASEAN and its
support for ASEAN's central role. They also pledged to continue promoting
ASEAN-US relations in the future to address common issues such as climate
change.
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 international
conventions 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 Conference
of Young Parliamentarians which will be hosted by the Vietnamese NA in
September./.