Prime Minister hosts U.S. bicameral congressional delegation

Pham lauded the crucial achievements in Viet Nam-U.S. relations over the past 28 years, since the two countries normalized diplomatic relations and especially after lifting up ties to comprehensive partnership in 2013.

Viet Nam firmly adheres to the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization of external relations and active international integration, and being a good friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community, reiterated Pham.

The country expects to boost the comprehensive partnership with the U.S. on the basis of respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, stated the Prime Minister.

He welcomed the U.S. to continue strengthening cooperation with Viet Nam and advocate a strong, independent, self-reliant and prosperous Viet Nam.

Pham expressed his delight on the fruitful outcomes of the high-level phone talks between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and U.S. President Joe Biden on March 29.

He suggested both sides increase delegation exchanges, particularly high-level ones this year, calling on members of the U.S. Congress to support sustainable, substantive and win-win relationship with Viet Nam in the time ahead.

Pham also suggested the U.S. Congress would provide more assistance for Viet Nam to overcome war aftermath and adapt to climate change, and support stronger cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy-trade, science-technology, education-training and defense-security.

He urged the U.S. to facilitate the entry of Viet Nam's goods into its market and encourage its enterprises to pour more investment in Viet Nam in such areas as digital transformation, green transition, strategic infrastructure development and innovation.

Viet Nam backs the U.S. to promote responsible cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, Pham stressed.

He proposed the U.S. Congress and authorities advocate the central role of ASEAN in the region as well as the principled stance of Viet Nam and ASEAN in the East Sea issue, continue to bolster collaboration within the framework of Mekong-U.S. Partnership, ensure safety of aviation and navigation and enhance climate change adaption.

For his side, Senator Jeff Merkley affirmed that the U.S. Congress regards Viet Nam as one of top partners in the region.

The Viet Nam-US cooperation in addressing war aftermaths is seen as a priority of the U.S. Congress, in particular, and the U.S. Administration, in general, in the upcoming years, he said.

Merkley pledged to assist Viet Nam in the areas of mutual interests, particularly economy-trade, science-technology and climate change response.

Joining the U.S. bicameral congressional delegation to Viet Nam are Senators Jeff Merkley and Chris Van Hollen, and Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Lloyd Doggett, and Ilhan Omar.

The delegation will attend activities in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and localities in the South to enhance friendship and cooperation between the two nations and parliaments on the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the establishment of Viet Nam-U.S. comprehensive partnership./.