President welcomes visiting US lawmakers
HA NOI Ñ Viet Nam is strengthening its friendship and co-operative relations with nations from around the world, including the Unites States, President Nguyen Minh Triet said yesterday to a visiting delegation of US lawmakers.
Triet stressed the visitÕs contribution to enhancing the co-operative relationship between Viet Nam and the US.
The US House of Representatives delegation, led by Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer and Republican minority whip Roy Blunt hailed Viet NamÕs co-operation with the US, especially in seeking US soldiers missing in action (MIA) in Viet Nam during the American war.
They hoped Viet Nam would continue to share information about the issue.
Triet told the US congressmen their visit was also a chance for them to witness Viet NamÕs development, he added.
Triet thanked the international community, including the US, for supporting Viet NamÕs election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
"Viet Nam will actively and effectively participate into the work of the Security Council in contributing to peace, stability, co-operation and development in Asia and all over the world," Triet said.
In the meeting, Triet and the visiting congressmen reviewed achievements and remaining differences in the bilateral relationship. Both sides agreed that the Viet Nam-US relationship had developed remarkably in recent years with the exchange of regular high-ranking delegations, increased trade and investment ties, and effective co-operation in culture, health and education.
Hoyer had met earlier in the day with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, and Triet said he believed that the discussions between National Assembly members and the US delegation would boost mutual understanding and help erase remaining differences between the two countries.
Viet NamÕs National Assembly was reforming its organisation and operations to improve the quality of legislative work to meet demands of the countryÕs socio-economic development and international integration, Trong told the US congressman.
The congressmen brought up matters of mutual concern such as environmental protection in the process of industrialisation and protection of intellectual property rights.
Hoyer also met yesterday with Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, who asked the US congressmen to be a bridge encouraging US businesses to further invest in Viet Nam, especially in the energy sector.
"Viet Nam attaches much importance to diversifying energy sources, especially alternative sources," Hai said.
"Viet Nam is also aware of the importance of intellectual property rights protection, seeing it as an aid to Viet NamÕs successful integration and technology development," he added. Ñ VNS
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Hanoi, Vietnam
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