Socialist Republic of Vietnam

* Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong called for the US’s continued cooperation and support to Vietnam in dealing with war consequences, especially Agent Orange issue, bomb and mine clearance, and the sharing of information relating to Vietnamese soldiers and officers missing in action. 

It is important for building and deepening the two sides’ trust, the Party chief stressed at his reception for Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and her accompanying congressmen in Hanoi on March 31.

Nancy Pelosi said she was happy to visit Vietnam at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 20 th anniversary of diplomatic ties and see impressive developments recorded by Vietnam as well as the country’s growing position on the regional and global stages.

While informing the host of the positive outcomes of her working sessions with Vietnamese leaders, Nancy Pelosi stressed that Republicans and Democrats in the US congress have all backed the US administration’s policy of treasuring and bolstering ties with Vietnam and stepping up the implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership. 

She said she believes that the two countries have a lot to do for their relations to grow further, especially after the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement takes effect.

The Party leader described Pelosi’s visit as significant to elevating the two countries’ relations, especially when both are marking the 20th year of ties normalisation.

He said cooperation in economy, education, healthcare, science and technology has generated practical benefits for Vietnamese and American people and contributed to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

* On the day, State President Truong Tan Sang welcomed Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and her accompanying congressmen, asking them to provide greater support to the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership. 

The support should focus on exchanging high-level visits; accelerating economic, trade and investment cooperation; concluding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations early; opening the door to Vietnamese goods; and addressing the consequences of war, he said. 

The State President said he was delighted at the progress made in Vietnam-US relations across politics-diplomacy, economy-trade-investment, science-technology, security, defence, culture-education, and humanitarian collaboration since the Comprehensive Partnership was established in July, 2013. 

Pelosi said she was impressed by Vietnam’s accomplishments and confirmed her delegation’s backing of strengthened Vietnam-US ties.

According to her, the two countries have yet to fully tap their development potential and now is the time for both to further their comprehensive partnership. 

Nancy Pelosi and the other congressmen exchanged their views with the President regarding the Asian-Pacific context as well as TPP negotiations and related matters in labourers’ rights, the environment, the role of women, food security and safety, and Vietnamese commitments.-VNA

* There is ample opportunity for Vietnam and the US to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership, said Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. 

While meeting with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung in Hanoi on March 31, Pelosi highlighted the two countries’ high-level delegation exchanges as an important foundation for pushing bilateral cooperative ties forward. 

She suggested the two countries coordinate more closely in addressing the aftermath of the war including disarming unexploded bombs and mines. 

For his part, NA Chairman Hung, who is also President of the 132 nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132), welcomed the guest’s visit as timed with the 20th anniversary of the normalisation of Vietnam-US relations. 

He spoke highly of the role of the US parliament in building friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and promoting their humanitarian activities. 

The top legislator thanked the US parliament for actively supporting Vietnam in its efforts to maintain stability, peace and security, as well as calling on organisations to invest in Vietnam . 

The two leading representatives agreed to increase dialogues and share legislative experience. 

Vietnam and the US will also enhance negotiations towards an early signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and work to exceed 40 billion USD in bilateral trade.-VNA

* Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh reiterated Vietnam’s commitments to negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership while meeting Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in Hanoi on March 31. 

Vietnam asked for the US’s flexible approach and support to Vietnam during the process, he said, adding that the US is a leading partner of Vietnam in its foreign policy. 

In light of celebrations for the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, Vietnam and the US should facilitate high-level visits and promote well-rounded coordination, especially across economics, trade and investment, he said. 

The host also sought the US’s support to ease the after-effects of war in Vietnam. 

Turning to developments in the Asia-Pacific, Southeast Asia and the East Sea, Minh said Vietnam highly values the US’s position on the settlement of disputes through peaceful means in line with international law. 

He hoped the US Congress would actively contribute to peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region. 

Pelosi scored parliamentarians’ support for the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership and hoped for more coordinated efforts in economics, education-training, and dealing with post-war consequences. 

US parliamentarians also expressed their interest in the East Sea and the TPP, learning about Vietnam’s perspective on and commitments to the deal. /.