At the regular press conference of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the afternoon of February 13, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang answered questions from the press about the recent US freeze in aid, including aid for mine clearance and overcoming the consequences of war in Vietnam.
Ms. Pham Thu Hang shared: "We are very interested in the US's decisions regarding USAID."
The spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that over the years, through various mechanisms and forms of cooperation, including USAID, the two countries have cooperated very effectively in many fields, including health, environment, climate change, disaster relief, especially cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war.
US aid projects have been effective in many provinces and cities across Vietnam, bringing better lives to people who benefit from the projects.
"The suspension of USAID-supported projects, especially those on clearing bombs and explosives left over from the war, as well as the Bien Hoa airport detoxification project, will have a strong impact on human safety as well as the environment in the project areas," said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.
Ms. Hang added that in recent times, the US's support and Vietnam's cooperation in searching for US soldiers missing in action during the war have been of practical significance, contributing to strengthening the friendship between the people of the two countries, consolidating trust and building good relations between Vietnam and the US. This activity is even more important in the context of the two countries celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
"In the coming time, Vietnam hopes to continue to implement these cooperative activities effectively and substantially with the US, contributing to the stable and long-term development of the bilateral relationship in accordance with the spirit of the joint statement on the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development," Ms. Pham Thu Hang shared.
