Vietnam and the US’s Alaska are eyeing cooperation in green energy, liquefied natural gas, aquatic processing, aviation and maritime transport, tourism, education and training, according to Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc.

Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc (Photo: VNA) 

Ngoc visited Alaska at the invitation of two Republican senators representing the state – Lisa Murkowski, head of the US Senate Committee for Energy and Natural Resources and Dan Sullivan, a member of the US Senate Committee on Armed Services, becoming the first Vietnamese ambassador to visit the locality.

 During his stay, the diplomat had working sessions with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Senator Dan Sullivan, Senator Roger Wicker, representatives from the Office of Senator Lisa Murkowski, and Senator for Alaska Alvi Gray Jackson.

 He also met representatives from economic development and natural resources management agencies of the state and local firms such as Exxon Mobile, Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, as well as leaders of the local government, parliament and enterprises attending the Kenai River Classic, an event to preserve fish resources in Alaska.

 At the meetings, Ngoc highlighted the sound development of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership in various areas, as well as growing ties between Vietnam and US states.

 He said Alaska was a priority for him to visit, showing Vietnam’s high evaluation of the locality’s role in the Vietnam-US partnership.

 Ambassador Ngoc sent his regards and thanks to former Senator Frank Murkowski, the father of Senator Lisa Murkowski, who made great contributions to the normalisation and development of Vietnam-US relations.

 For their parts, Governor Mike Dunleavy, Senator Dan Sullivan and leaders of Alaska and local firms agreed Alaska and Vietnam boast high potential for cooperation in many areas, highlighting the need for both sides to increase the exchange of delegations of businesses as well as people-to-people contacts.

 During the visit, the Vietnamese Embassy helped connect aquatic companies of both sides to seek partnerships. Ngoc invited Alaska’s leaders to visit Vietnam to discuss measures to foster cooperation.

 The ambassador proposed Alaska help the about 800-strong Vietnamese community in the state settle down.

 At Ngoc’s working session with Senator Sullivan, the two sides discussed recent developments in the East Sea. Sullivan affirmed his opposition to actions violating the sovereignty of coastal states and challenging international law.

 Meanwhile, at a meeting with the ambassador, Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the US Senate Committee for Commerce, Science and Transportation, told Ngoc he will continue supporting ties between Vietnam and the US, and revealed he will visit Vietnam soon.