US Congress always supportive of Vietnam-US relations
VOV.VN - The United States Congress has consistently had senators who are highly supportive of ties with Vietnam, said Patrick Leahy, president pro tempore of the US Senate, during a recent meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh who is on a working visit to the US.
PM Chinh met with Leahy and other key members of the US Senate in Washington D.C. on May 11 as part of the Vietnamese leader’s ongoing trip to the US to attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit in Washington, D.C. and to pay a working visit to the UN.
The Vietnamese Government leader affirmed that the nation considers the US to be a leading important partner and stands ready to work alongside them in order to ramp up the comprehensive partnership on the basis of respect for each sides’ independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions.
He was appreciative off the sustained efforts made by US senators, especially Leahy’s leadership in consolidating the two-party consensus in the US in supporting relations with the country, particularly co-operation in settling war consequences.
PM Chinh expressed his hope that Leahy will continue to incentivise generations of US senators to move forward with the settlement work as a means of fostering greater bilateral ties in line with the wishes and legitimate interests of each side, for peace, stability, co-operation, and development in the region and the wider world.
The Vietnamese leader said he hopes that both sides move to strengthen their legislative ties, whilst conveying National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s invitation to the Leahy to visit the nation this year, with the invitation graciously accepted.
He went on to suggest that Leahy work to fast-track the establishment of a group of US senators who friendly with Vietnam and join efforts aimed at intensifying all-level delegation exchanges, as well as regular dialogue mechanisms between the two legislative bodies.
In response to this, Leahy said the participating US senators have special sentiments towards the country and highly valued both side’s efforts to overcome differences in order to build a better future.
The US senators therefore pledged that they will go ahead with Leahy’s plans after his retirement to enhance relations, effectively handling issues of shared concern, and promoting the joint comprehensive partnership.
They also showed a keen interest in Vietnamese prospects for the digital economy, along with the US’s capacity for support of the nation in its transition to clean energy. The senators outlined their desire to visit Vietnam this year.
Both sides compared notes on regional and international issues of shared concern, including those regarding the East Sea, Myanmar, and climate change.
PM Chinh hailed the senators’ support for ASEAN’s centrality, as well as its viewpoints on regional matters. He went on to reiterate the country’s consistent stance of addressing disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, not using or threatening to use force, and ensuring freedom and safety of navigation and aviation in line with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).