“There are many cooperation areas and partnerships between our two countries. Therefore, I think our presence here is important in promoting that relationship."

Senator Jeff Merkley, who leads the US congressional delegation, affirmed this commitment during a press conference on April 7 in Hanoi. Accompanying him in the delegation was Chris Van Hollen, Democratic Senator from Maryland; Pramila Jayapal, Democratic Representative from Washington State; Lloyd Doggett, Democratic Representative of Texas and Ilhan Omar, Democratic Representative of Minnesota.

The US Congressional delegation shared the priorities during their visit to Vietnam from April 7-11. (Photo: TGVN)

“Vietnam is always on our mind”

Speaking about the cooperation between the two Congresses over the past time, Senator Jeff Merkley affirmed that the US Congress has always paid attention to Vietnam. Recently, he and Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska proposed a draft resolution related to support for countries in the Mekong River basin. This is an area with great economic potential but facing many challenges from climate change such as land subsidence and sea level rise.

On regional security and prosperity, Jeff Merkkey and Van Hollen proposed a Resolution regarding the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). After Vietnam, the delegation will travel to Indonesia, where the ASEAN headquarters is located, and plays a very important role as the current ASEAN Chair.

Senator Jeff Merkley at the press conference. (Photo: TGVN)

Prior, the delegation had a meeting with members of the National Assembly of Vietnam to strengthen the relationship between the legislative bodies of the two countries. In the coming time, the National Assembly of Vietnam will also send a delegation to the US Congress.

According to Merkley, the US Congress has just launched the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL) and Vietnam will also be invited to participate in this initiative.

Four pillars on overcoming the consequences of war

Senator Chris Van Hollen emphasized that in previous meetings at all levels, including the meeting with the Prime Minister and the President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, the delegation mentioned the issue of post-war consequences and how to sustain efforts to overcome, which are believed to be very productive.

He reiterated the four pillars of overcoming the consequences of war, including helping individuals and families with war-related disabilities, dioxin detoxification, clearance of mines and unexploded ordnance, searching for missing soldiers, the remains of American soldiers in Vietnam and Vietnamese soldiers to return to their families.

US Senator Chris Van Hollen affirmed the commitment of the US Congress in overcoming the consequences of the war in Vietnam in particular and bilateral relations in general. (Photo: TGVN)

The US senator affirmed that in addition to efforts from the executive branch including President Joe Biden administration, the cabinet, Congress and the legislative branch have been making many positive efforts. Legislative branch also decides budgets and expenditures, including the package on overcoming the consequences of the war in Vietnam.

Impression on the return day

Speaking at the press conference, Pramila Jayapal - the only member of the delegation who has ever visited Vietnam, expressed surprise at the remarkable development of the S-shaped country in the past 28 years.

The US Representative said that she had the opportunity to visit Vietnam in 1995, right after the normalization of Vietnam-US relations. At that time, she worked for an NGO and collaborated with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health in tackling HIV/AIDS.

Unlike the last time, during this visit, she can experience more when visiting Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and the Mekong River.

Meeting with generations of Vietnamese who used to study in the US, Pramila believed that with their skills, knowledge and enthusiasm, they will make an important contribution to promoting bilateral relations.

Representative Pramila Jayapal shared her feelings about returning to Vietnam after 28 years. (Photo: TGVN)

Affirming herself as a "woman of the ASEAN region" when having worked in many ASEAN country members such as Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia and Thailand, the US Representative shared the joy of being able to return to this region.

Pramila Jayapal said that climate change is a matter of national security, and the US attaches great importance to cooperation in this field. Regarding medical cooperation, during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the US has provided many vaccines for Vietnam. She believed this is the way the US fulfills its global obligations and responsibilities and is a good foundation for continuing to promote relations in the future.

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