Patrick Leahy, President Pro Tempore of the US Senate, wrapped up his productive five-day visit to Vietnam on April 20.
During his stay in Hanoi from April 17-18, Leahy paid courtesycalls to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President TruongTan Sang.
He held talks with his host NationalAssembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, met Defence Minister Phung QuangThanh and took part in an exchange with law students from the HanoiNational University . He and his entourage also visited a number ofbeauty spots and relic sites in Hanoi, including the house where latePresident Ho Chi Minh lived and worked, the One-Pillar Pagoda and theTemple of Literature .
In his working sessionswith Vietnamese leaders, Leahy lauded the rising position and role ofVietnam in the region and the world, affirming that the US congresswishes to further multi-faceted cooperation with the country,especially its legislature, on the basis of comprehensive partnershipset up by the two nations last July.
He thankedVietnam for its goodwill and assistance in accounting for US soldierslisted as missing in action during the war and pledged that his countrywill continue its efforts to help Vietnam overcome the consequences ofthe conflict that continue to blight the lives of local people.
Leahy also said his country supports Vietnam in its ongoing negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
The US side lauded Vietnam’s new Constitution, which dedicatesmuch consideration to human and citizen rights, as well as the country’sprogress in human rights and religious freedom.
Highly praising the cooperation of the US, and Leahy in particular, inaiding Vietnam’s recovery from the war, leaders of the Party, State andNA expressed their delight at the development of bilateral ties.
Vietnam, with its consistent external policies of independence,self-reliance and international integration, considers the US as avery important partner, they said.
They suggested that the two sides increase ties at all levels within their current frameworks.
They proposed that the US continue to work closely with Vietnam inhealing the wounds of the war, especially through demining andsupporting victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Vietnam. It wassuggested that the US congress give an appropriate budget forhumanitarian issues in Vietnam, while fostering exchanges ofexperience and information with the Vietnamese NA.
They also underscored the importance of bilateral affiliation inmaintaining peace, stability, prosperity and development in the regionand the world.
In addition, they urged Leahy and theUS to recognise Vietnam’s market economy and increase support inthe Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
TheVietnamese leaders said they hope the US Senate leader will attend the132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which Vietnamwill host in 2015 – the year marking the 20th anniversary of theVietnam-US diplomatic ties.
From Aril 18-20, Leahyand his entourage visited the central city of Da Nang, where heattended a ceremony launching a dioxin-contamination treatment system atDa Nang airport.
He also presented gifts to some people with disabilities in Hoa Vang district and Hoa Vang Hospital.-VNA