PM Nguyen Tan Dung and US Senator John McCain

Vietnam considers the US one of its leading partners and wants to raise bilateral relations to a new height. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was speaking during his reception of the US Senate delegation led by Senator John McCain in Hanoi on Thursday. The Prime Minister reiterated Vietnam’s open foreign policy and its proactive approach in international integration. Vietnam treasures friendship cooperation with all countries based on the principle of respecting national sovereignty, equality for mutual benefit in line with international and domestic laws. He asked the senators to influence the US government’s early recognition of Vietnam’s market economy and granting the Generalized System of Preferences for Vietnam. The Prime Minister called for more cooperation in the settlement of war consequences, including the Agent Orange/dioxin and resilience to climate change. Senator John McCain agreed and pledged his support to more cooperation in trade, education and humanitarian activities.   

In related news, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has pledged the legislative body’s willingness to cooperate with the US Congress to promote bilateral cooperative programs. Chairman Hung told the visiting US Senator John McCain in Hanoi on Thursday that Vietnam pursues its consistent foreign relations policy to cooperate with all countries for peace and development. He asked for further bilateral cooperation in science, culture and national defense. Senator John McCain said he expected more cooperation in law making and national project supervision.