PM Pham Minh Chinh welcomes US Senator Jeff Merkley in Hanoi, April 8, 2023. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

Mr. Chinh said Vietnam is ready to deepen relations with the US in an effective and practical manner on the basis of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political regime. Hanoi wants to boost comprehensive partnership with Washington on a win-win basis, PM Chinh noted. 

He asked the US Congress to allocate more resources to help Vietnam overcome the aftermaths of war including demining and addressing the harmful legacy of Agent Orange as well as further support cooperation between the two governments in trade, investment, national defense and security, education, science and technology, and innovation, among others. 

The guests said they hope that the two countries will upgrade their ties to a strategic partnership. They reiterated support for Vietnam, focusing on helping people affected by war, demining, dioxin   remediation, and MIA issues. The US will assist Vietnam in climate change response, promote trade and investment and energy transition, and create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the US, the US lawmakers said. 

Regarding the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea), both sides reiterated the importance of maintaining navigation and overflight safety and freedom, and peacefully settling disputes in accordance with international law.

They hailed fruitful coordination between Vietnam and the US in multilateral institutions, particularly in ASEAN and related regional institutions. Hanoi and Washington support ASEAN centrality, the ASEAN-US comprehensive strategic partnership, and the Mekong-US partnership.

The US side asked Vietnam to support its efforts to increase responsible cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.