Over the past two decades, it took immense courage on both sides to look beyond the scars of that war and envision a future in which two countries could become partners and friends. Today, the American and the Vietnamese people can be proud of the progress made to forge a lasting peace and friendship.
The statement described the recent US visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as a historic trip during which both sides discussed shared interests and opportunities for closer collaboration on a range of issues, including regional stability, economic cooperation and the lingering and environmental consequences of the war.
“Two years ago, President Obama and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang launched the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, opening a new phase of bilateral relations between the two nations based on mutual respect and common interests.
As the US and Vietnam continue to deepen our relationship, we should continue to address the legacies of that war, particularly the health effects and environmental contamination associated with Agent Orange and other herbicides,” it said.
The statement also appreciated Senator Leahy's leadership on the Appropriations Committee, which has enabled the US to pursue remediation projects to clean up the dioxin contamination at Danang International Airport and other hot spots and to support related health and disability programs.
