Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoàng Xuân Chiến and US Ambassador to Việt Nam Marc E. Knapper viewed the exhibition on Việt Nam-US cooperation in handling unexploded ordnance. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoàng Xuân Chiến said he hopes that the US will continue offering long-term funding to Vietnam to help the country deal with the consequences of bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance left over from the war and create livelihoods for those living in affected areas.

During a working session in Hà Nội on Monday with US Ambassador to Việt Nam Marc E. Knapper, Chiến – who is also head of the standing board of the National Steering Committee on Overcoming Post-War Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Toxic Chemical Consequences – stressed that Việt Nam will continue creating favourable conditions and work closely with the US partners to achieve set targets.

E.Knapper, for his part, affirmed that since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on addressing the aftermath of bombs and mines between the two countries in 2013, the US has strived to fulfil its commitments, stepped up funding activities directly and indirectly via international and non-governmental organisations operating in this field.

He spoke highly of Việt Nam’s achievements in this field with the US’s support.

About cooperation orientations for the 2023-28 period, Chiến suggested the US continue delivering on its commitments, including accelerating the building of a training ground meeting the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and supporting research and development activities.

The Vietnamese side wished that the US would prioritise direct funding for Vietnamese partners and reputable international organisations in Việt Nam, expand support to other areas contaminated with UXO beyond the central provinces, and strive to achieve the goal of clearing about 350,000ha of contaminated land from 2023 to 2028.

Over the past decade, Việt Nam has cleared up around 500,000 ha of UXO-contaminated land. — VNS