(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam hopes the US will continue cooperation in mitigating the effects of landmines and toxic chemicals, said Deputy Minister of National Defense Hoang Xuan Chien.
 Delegates attending the webinar on overcoming the consequences of the Vietnam war (Photo: VOV) |
Addressing a webinar on overcoming the consequences of the Vietnam war hosted by the US Institute of Peace Tuesday, Chien said the bombs, mines, and toxic chemicals left by the war have been threatening Vietnamese people's lives and affecting Vietnam's sustainable development goals.
Deputy Minister Chien is also head of the standing office of the National Steering Committee on the settlement of post-war unexploded ordnance and toxic chemical consequences (Steering Committee 701). He stressed the need to complete the dioxin cleanup of the Bien Hoa airport, provide medical care and jobs for Agent Orange/dioxin victims, and increase bomb and mine clearance in Vietnam to 50,000-70,000 hectares per year.
The Tuesday event launched a project to mitigate the effects of the Vietnam War and locate Vietnamese soldiers missing in action during the war.
US Senator Patrick Leahy said the project reflects the US government's willingness to respond to the goodwill of the Vietnamese government and people in helping the US locate American soldiers missing for 40 years. He praised the collaboration between the US and Vietnamese governments in mitigating the consequences of the war.
“We understand that many Vietnamese families may never find their loved ones' remains. The US will do everything possible to provide any archival information and technical and professional knowledge that we have to help the Government of Vietnam find and collect their remains,” said Patrick.