National Assembly Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son on April 21 received visiting US Senator James Webb, Chair of the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs under the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

At the reception, NA Vice Chairman Son praised James Webb’s support for Vietnam as well as the Vietnam-US relations and expressed his hope that with his role and prestige, the Senator will make more contributions to strengthening the two countries’ relationship.

Fifteen years after setting up diplomatic ties, mutual understanding and trust have been enhanced and are expected to reach a higher level, he said.

He said he wished that the two legislative bodies would increase the exchange of visits, thus boosting friendship and cooperation.

The NA vice leader took the occasion to propose the US Senator raise his voice to push for the dealing with consequences of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin and the clearance of mines left by the war, the lifting irrational trade barriers, especially issues regarding tra fish, and the recognition of Vietnam as a market-oriented economy.

Senator James Webb said he returned to Vietnam with the message of working and discussing together for the future, sharing Son’s view that the US-VN relations are developing.

The Senator, who was one of the initiators of the draft on aiding environmental pollution treatment at Da Nang airport, stressed the need to carry out treatment of environmental pollution posed by AO/dioxin as well as scientific research on its impacts on human health.

As one of the proposers of the draft on aiding environmental pollution treatment at Da Nang airport, James Webb said his visit aims to discuss with Vietnam how to achieve a better future.

He also showed his support for efforts in bomb and mine clearance in order to reduce dangers to residents.

The Senator pledged that he would contribute to boosting trade ties and investment cooperation between the two sides./.