(VOVworld) - President Pro Tempore of the US Senate Patrick Leahy on Wednesday began a five-day visit to Vietnam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and President Pro Tempore of the US Senate Patrick Leahy after the talks. (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA)

Following a welcome in Hanoi on Thursday, the senator held talks with Hung, who said Vietnam attaches importance to its relations with the US and is determined to realize signed agreements in a spirit of comprehensive partnership. Hung said both sides should exert more efforts to resolve issues left by the past towards building a new relationship for the long-term benefit of the two peoples. Chairman Hung praised the role of US legislators in improving understanding between the two nations, and peoples and boosting trade to 29 billion USD last year. 

Hung asked legislators of both countries to increase exchanges, recognize Vietnam as a market economy, and sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. Hung called on the US Congress to spend more money on humanitarian issues such as the search for soldiers missing in action, assistance to disabled people, and bomb and mine clearance in Vietnam.

Senate Leahy voiced strong support for cooperation between the US and Vietnam, especially in surmounting the consequences of the Vietnam War. Leahy expressed a hope that the younger generation will continue exchanges to deepen bilateral ties. 

During his visit, Leahy had an exchange with students of the Law Department of Hanoi National University, where he gave an overview of the US legal system, the state apparatus, and fundamental principles of the US judicial system. He underscored the content of Vietnam’s Declaration of Independence read by President Ho Chi Minh in 1945 with its focus on human rights. He highlighted the importance of protecting fair, democratic, and humane values.