AO consequence settlement discussed at European Parliament
Efforts to deal with consequences of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin should focus on environmental improvement and long-term support for AO victims along with dioxin remediation activities, heard a seminar held at the European Parliament (EP)’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on November 28.
Brussels (VNA) – Efforts to deal with consequences of Agent Orange(AO)/dioxin should focus on environmental improvement and long-term support forAO victims along with dioxin remediation activities, heard a seminar held atthe European Parliament (EP)’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on November28.
Theevent was co-organised by the Vietnam-EU Parliamentary Friendship Group in the EPand the US’s Aspen Institute, with the participation of representatives fromsome foreign embassies in Belgium and EP agencies.
Chris Keyskens, president of the international AO victims’ Belgium chapter,said Vietnamese AO victims need support to have better lives.
Accordingto her, as of late 2017, the Belgium chapter had presented 18,414 EUR to thevictims, and the association aims to help disabled AO child victims to go toschool and provide capital for families of AO victims in Hoi An city, Vietnam’s central province ofQuang Nam, to promote their own production activities.
Dr.Charles Bailey, former Director of the Aspen Institute Agent Orange in VietnamProgramme, introduced the book titled “From Enemies to Partners – Vietnam, theUS and Agent Orange” that he co-wrote with Dr. Le Ke Son, former ViceDirector-General of the Vietnam Environmental Administration.
Inthe book, the authors pointed out severe consequences of dioxin on Vietnamesepeople as well as local environment over the past half century.
Since2007, Vietnam and the US have begun to join hands in addressing theconsequences.
During the 2007-2018 period, the US Government has allocated a total of 136million USD to the work. The money has been used to remediate dioxin-pollutedsoil at Da Nang, Bien Hoa and Phu Cat airports, and fund health care servicesfor victims in seriously-contaminated zones, he added.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Mission to the EUVu Anh Quang said the seminar is one of the major events of the EU-Vietnam relationsthis year, helping improve public awareness of AO/dioxin and seek solutions toaddress its consequences.
The US army sprayed some 80 million litres oftoxic chemicals in Vietnam during the war, 61 percent of which was AgentOrange, containing 366kg of dioxin. As a result, more than 3 million ha offorested land was destroyed, while basic water and food sources for millions ofpeople were contaminated.
Preliminary statistics showed that 4.8 millionVietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin. Tens of thousands ofpeople died from exposure, while millions of others went on to suffer fromcancer and other incurable diseases. Children and grand children of manyvictims have been affected with widespread birth deformities.-VNA
A new centre that will offer rehabilitation and post-surgery care to Agent Orange victims will open by the end of the year in HCM City, according to the HCM City Association of Victims of Agent Orange.
It’s 56 years since the US troops started to spray defoliants, including Agent Orange over southern Vietnam. However its aftermath still remains on the third generation of the AO/dioxin victims.
The Association of Agent Orange/dioxin Victims in Can Tho city on August 7 presented gifts to dioxin victims and their families on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the Day for AO/dioxin Victims (August 10).
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Senior Vietnamese leaders on June 19 sent letters of congratulations to New Zealand leaders on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – New Zealand diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 – 2025).
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnamese AO victims (Photo: VNA) 
