Top Vietnamese legislator meets US President

At the meeting, NA Chairman Hue showed his elation at welcoming President Biden as the first US President to visit the Vietnamese NA, as well as praising the very successful talks held between President Biden and General Secretary Phu Trong held on the afternoon of September 10.

He welcomed the two countries' establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, co-operation, and sustainable development, which opens a new chapter in the two countries' relationship, both through the Party, the NA, the Government channel, and people-to-people exchanges.

President Biden said that during 36 years of becoming involved in parliamentary activities, he has always supported strengthening of US relations with Vietnam, always contributing to normalising relations between the two countries from the initial establishment of relations.

The Vietnamese NA leader expressed the fine sentiment and appreciation for President Biden's contributions to joint ties.

The two leaders shared that the legislative bodies of both sides have played a crucial role in the process of healing, building, consolidating trust, strengthening links, and upgrading the relationship between the two nations.

They also mentioned outstanding parliamentarians of the two countries who have made very important contributions to the results of bilateral relations today, including late Senator John McCain, Senator Patrick Leahy, Special Envoy John Kerry, along with many other generations of congressmen such as Senators Jeff Merkley, Mike Capro, Representatives Jason Smith and Trent Kelley.

On the Vietnamese NA’s side, there are many generations of leaders, notably NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, and NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan who always support deep, substantive, and mutually beneficial relations with the US, gradually bringing ties between the two countries to new heights.

The US President thanked NA Chairman Hue for his leadership in promoting relations between the two legislative bodies and the two countries based on trust and co-operation.

The two leaders also share many common values between the two countries and two peoples, including the sacred rights recorded in the 1776 Declaration of Independence of the US, in which President Ho Chi Minh cited the opening part on September 2, 1945, thereby giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Regarding the very good results that President Biden achieved after talks with General Secretary Trong, on behalf of the Vietnamese NA, Chairman Hue said that the Vietnamese legislature will work alongside the Government on the Action Plan to implement the Joint Statement.

He also proposed that the US swiftly complete procedures to recognise the nation as a market economy, as well as continuing to devote resources in collaboration relating to overcoming the consequences of war which is an indispensable area for the process of healing, building and strengthening trust, understanding, and mutual respect between the two states and their respective citizens.

The US President and congressmen agreed with the proposals put forward by the NA Chairman and will therefore make efforts in a bid to promote internal consensus in the US and support Vietnam - US relations, whilst soon recognizing the market economy status of Vietnam.

NA Chairman Hue said he hopes that President Biden will continue to push for a wider consensus between both Parties and both Houses of the US to support stable, lasting, and mutually beneficial relations with Vietnam and the Vietnamese NA.

On the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, NA Chairman Hue expressed his remembrance of the victims and his deep condolences to the US Government and people.

At the meeting, President Biden and NA Chairman Hue witnessed leaders of the Vietnam Veterans Association and the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam and the US Department of Defence handing over war mementos between the two sides, an act of profound symbolism and humanity.

Both sides agreed to make efforts in a bid to deal with the post-war consequences and underscored the importance of continuing this work.

As part of the occasion, President Biden expressed his welcome and desire to soon meet with NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in Washington D.C.