Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening the friendship and all-round cooperation with the US, PM Nguyen Tan Dung has said.

 

While receiving Eni F.H. Faleomavaega in Hanoi on December 19, Dung appreciated the Congressman’s substantial contributions to Vietnam-US relations over the years.

Faleomavaega has conducted hearings on the impact of Agent Orange/dioxin on Vietnamese people’s health and the environment, and demanded that the US government provide more assistance to dioxin victims.

Dung expressed his hope that US congressmen will increase exchanges between the two countries’ legislative bodies and peoples to promote mutual understanding, and develop economic, trade, investment and science-technology ties, as well as supporting current negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

Faleomavaega confirmed that he will continue lobbying US Congress to increase budget for dioxin clean-up efforts and assistance to dioxin victims living in contaminated areas.

He expressed concern about recent East Sea disputes which he said should be settled in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He acknowledged Vietnam’s achievements in guaranteeing and promoting fundamental human rights, including the right to religious and belief freedom.  

The Congressman echoed Dung’s view that the human right issues should be viewed objectively based on verified information, taking into account the country’s traditional, cultural, historical characteristics and development level. 

VOV