Addressing war aftermaths – bright spot in Vietnam-US relations
The Vietnam-US cooperation in addressing war aftermaths is considered a bright spot in bilateral relations, which have reaped remarkable achievements in many aspects.
Timothy Rieser, senior advisor at the US Senate Appropriations Committee (Photo: VNA)
Washington, D.C., (VNA) – The Vietnam-UScooperation in addressing war aftermaths is considered a bright spot inbilateral relations, which have reaped remarkable achievements in many aspects.
The Vietnam News Agency correspondents inWashington interviewed Timothy Rieser, senior advisor at the US SenateAppropriations Committee, on the US’s support for Vietnam in resolving warconsequences, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Vietnam-USdiplomatic relations.
Riese recalled that discussions about how theUS could help Vietnam in dealing with post-war consequences began as early as1990, especially in supporting people affected by unexploded ordnance left by war,noting that it was the beginning of the 30-year bilateral cooperation inresolving war aftermaths.
It is also the start of bilateral ties which laterdeveloped into a comprehensive partnership in all realms, he said.
According to Riese, the bilateral cooperation inthis field has expanded to eight provinces in Vietnam, also covering supportfor people with disabilities due to indirect or direct exposure to Agent Orange(AO)/dioxin.
The US and Vietnamese governments haveeffectively cooperated in the decontamination of the most heavily contaminatedareas of dioxin, first at Da Nang airport in the central city of Da Nang, andnow at Bien Hoa airport in the southern province of Dong Nai, he added.
In recent years, the US has also received greatassistance from Vietnam in searching for US soldiers missing in action (MIA)during wartime, he said, adding that this cooperation is extremely important.
He revealed that the US will for the first timeprovide through its Department of Defence about 2.5 million USD for the MIAproject, helping Vietnam to seek its soldiers missing in action during the war.
In addition, the two sides are also seekingcooperation opportunities for other issues such as security, climate change,energy, food, education, media and technology, he added./.
Merle Ratner, Coordinator of the US-based Vietnam Agent Orange (AO) Relief and Responsibility Campaign, highlighted certain achievements in the fight for the sake of Vietnamese AO victims during an interview with the Vietnam News Agency.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic ties, Nguyen Tuong Van, Secretary-General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), has penned an article on the role of parliamentarians in the 25-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Vietnam-US ties have seen impressive steps forward over the past 25 years since the two sides normalised their diplomatic relations, commented Prof. Vladimir Kolotov, head of the Ho Chi Minh Institute under the Saint Petersburg State University in Russia.
Vietnam is serving as an important bridge between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the US, said Director of Stimson's Southeast Asia programme Brian Eyler.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
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The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
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The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Timothy Rieser, senior advisor at the US Senate Appropriations Committee (Photo: VNA) 
