Viet Nam hoped to enhance and deepen its relationship with the United States on a bilateral, regional and global scale, said National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung at a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday in Washington, D.C.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung meets US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday in Washington, D.C.

Hung said the two sides had made considerable achievements in trade and business since the normalisation of their relationship 20 years ago, with trade turnover reaching US$40 billion. He added he believed their relations would continue to grow.

For his part, Kerry said he would work to foster co-operation with Viet Nam and work with other countries in the region to cope with climate change, especially rising sea levels.

Kerry also said US would continue to help Viet Nam's NA in its building and amendment of laws in compliance with the 2013 Constitution and in post-war activities such as clearing minefields and supporting Agent Orange victims.

The two sides agreed their co-operation should focus on maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea for the benefit of the region and the world.

Hung and Kerry also agreed that both sides needed to work together to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

On the same day, Hung met with Michael Poman, United States Trade Representative.

The NA leader said he was aware of the need to adjust legislation in compliance with the guidelines set out by the TPP.

Porman appreciated Viet Nam's dedication to the free trade deal, and said it would benefit all countries involved.

NA Chairman meets with US Senators Patrick Leahy, John McCain

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung had separate meetings with President Pro Tempore of the US Senate Patrick Leahy and Senator John McCain on early September 10 (Vietnam time), saying that Vietnam treasures ties with the US.

The National Assembly of Vietnam always attaches importance to ties with the US, and hopes to further enhance and deepen the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, Hung said.

NA Chairman Hung expressed his joy at important results in the relations of the two countries after 20 years of establishing diplomatic ties, and praised the two Senators’ contributions to promoting ties between the two countries in recent years.

Vietnam wishes to enhance cooperation with the US in law making to serve its law reform process because the latter is experienced in the field, Hung said.

He suggested the two countries’ legislatures establish an annual dialogue mechanism, organise programmes to exchange information and experience in legislative activities, and issues of shared concern.

President Pro Tempore of the Senate Patrick Leahy spoke highly of Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements in the region and the world, saying that he believes in the country’s bright future.

He stated that the US Congress is keen to step up comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, thus fostering mutual understanding and relationship between the two peoples.

 Hung and Leahy emphasised the importance of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world.

For his part, Senator John McCain expressed his hope that Vietnam and the US as well as other countries involving in negotiations on the Trans-pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement would reach a consensus on the deal soon.

He expressed his concern about recent situations in the East Sea, saying that all disputes should be settled by peaceful measures, on the basis of respect for international law.

The same day, the Vietnamese top legislator and his entourage left Washington DC for Hanoi, wrapping up his eight-day official visit to the US.

World Bank support

On September 8, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung met with World Bank (WB) President Jim Yong Kim, where he said Viet Nam wished to receive additional support from the WB to finalise its market economy policies.

The legislator called on the bank to increase preferential loans for Viet Nam, especially those in service of sustainable development, infrastructure upgrades and poverty reduction.

As one of the countries most affected by climate change, Viet Nam suggested the bank assist the nation cope with this phenomenon, he said.

Both hailed the co-operation between Viet Nam and the WB, saying many WB-funded projects in the country have proven effective and contributed to the country's economic growth.

During the Doi Moi (reform) process, Viet Nam received the bank's support in training, expertise sharing, building financial policies and implementing the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on community-based poverty reduction, they said.

President Jim Yong Kim valued Viet Nam's socio-economic achievements, particularly those in realising sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The WB aims to back development in nations, including Viet Nam, he stressed, adding that the bank will consider assisting the country in combating climate change.

The same day, Hung attended a WB-organised seminar on the Vietnamese legislature's increasingly important role in national development.

In his remarks, the legislator said Viet Nam had made great strides in development, from urban to rural areas and in all socio-economic sectors.

The country had realised the MDGs, he said, stressing the substantial support of the WB during this process.

The Vietnamese legislature has affirmed its role as the highest State power body and the highest representative body of the people, striving to improve the quality of State management, accelerate sustainable development and improve local living standards, the NA Chairman noted.

He used the occasion to discuss Viet Nam's Constitution which advocates for a socialist-oriented market economy, social welfare, human rights and citizens' freedom and democracy.

Keeping peace, ensuring national security, protecting the nation's sovereignty and coping with climate change remain Viet Nam's biggest concerns, the top legislator said, adding that the last is critical to the country's effective implementation of the SDGs.

Prior to attending other events at the WB headquarters, NA Chairman Hung and his entourage visited monuments dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the US's 16th President, and Martin Luther King, a US civil rights activist. 

NA Chairman meets WB President in United States

Viet Nam wants additional support from the World Bank (WB) to finalise its market economy policies, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung told WB President Jim Yong-kim.

During their meeting in the United States on Tuesday (local time), the top legislator called on the bank to increase preferential loans to Viet Nam, especially those for sustainable development, upgrade of infrastructure and poverty reduction.

As one of the countries most affected by climate change, Viet Nam suggested the bank should assist the nation in coping with the phenomenon, he said.

Both sides hailed the fruitful developments in co-operation between Viet Nam and the WB, saying that many WB-funded projects in the Southeast Asian country have proved to be effective and have contributed to the country's economic growth.

During the Doi Moi (reform) process, Viet Nam received the bank's support in personnel training, sharing of experiences, preparation of financial policies and implementing of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on community-based poverty reduction in particular, they said.

WB President Jim Yong-kim highly appreciated Viet Nam's socio- economic achievements in recent years, particularly those in realising sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The WB continued to back development in nations, including Viet Nam, he stressed, adding the bank would consider assisting the  country in combating climate change.

The same day, NA Chairman Hung attended a WB-organised seminar on the Vietnamese legislature's increasingly important role in national development.

In his remarks, the legislator said Viet Nam has made great strides in development, extending from urban to rural areas and in all socio-  economic sectors.

The country has realised the MDGs, he said, stressing the substantial support and high sense of responsibility of the WB during the process.

With continuous overhauls, the Vietnamese legislature has affirmed its role as the highest state power body and the highest representative body of the people, striving to improve the quality of state management, accelerate sustainable development and improve local living standards, the NA Chairman noted.

He utilised the occasion to speak about Viet Nam's Constitution that advocates a socialist-oriented market economy, social welfare, human rights and citizens' freedom and democracy.

Maintaining peace, ensuring national security, protecting the nation's sovereignty and coping with climate change remained Viet Nam's greatest concerns, the top legislator said, adding that the last was critical to the country's effective implementation of the SDGs. Prior to attending other events at the WB headquarters, NA Chairman Hung and his entourage visited monuments dedicated to America's 16th

President Abraham Lincoln, and African-American civil rights activist Martin Luther King. 

VNS