(VOVworld)- US Senate President Pro Tempore Patrick Leahy and Deputy Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh on Saturday pressed the button to start the operation of the thermal remediation system to treat dioxin contamination at Da Nang airport. This 84-million USD project is funded by the US. It aims to clean about 73,000 cubic meters of dioxin-contaminated soil in Da Nang airport. So far, contractors have filled up 45,000 cubic meters of dioxin-contaminated soil in the containment. Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh said:“This project is of special importance. The success of this project will contribute to overcoming consequences of the past and pave the way for further cooperation between Vietnam and the US”.

US Senate President Pro Tempore Patrick Leahy said the project proved the possibility of cooperation between Vietnam and the US in jointly resolving war aftermaths. He said the treatment of dioxin contamination in Da Nang airport will help eliminate threats for people’s health and create opportunities for economic development. He added that this is an example for the development of bilateral ties since the two countries normalized their relations in 1995.