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Skriven 2005-06-21 23:33:20 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0506212) for Tue, 2005 Jun 21
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Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 21, 2005

Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam



President George W. Bush welcomed Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to the White
House today to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties on the occasion of
the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
the United States and Vietnam. The President and Prime Minister expressed
satisfaction with progress to date and affirmed that U.S.-Vietnam relations
are characterized by mutual respect, growing economic and commercial ties,
shared interests in regional peace, prosperity, and security in Southeast
Asia and the Asia Pacific region, and increasing cooperation on a range of
common concerns. Both leaders reaffirmed their intention to continue
dialogue on issues on which differences remain.

The President and Prime Minister underscored the two countries' common
interest in further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the context of a
stable and durable partnership. To this end, the President and Prime
Minister stated their intention to bring bilateral relations to a higher
plane by developing a friendly, constructive, and multi-faceted cooperative
partnership on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit.
In that spirit, the two leaders agreed to encourage greater contact between
their countries' respective executive and legislative branches, commercial
and scientific communities, militaries, and citizens and to encourage more
cultural and educational exchanges, in particular through the Vietnam
Education Foundation. They further agreed to strengthen bilateral and
multilateral cooperation on transnational issues, including the global
fight against terrorism, transnational crime, narcotics, and trafficking in
persons and to deepen cooperation on health and humanitarian issues,
including the prevention of pandemics, especially of HIV/AIDS and Avian
Influenza.

The President and Prime Minister applauded the success of our 2001
Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in accelerating two-way trade, and they
reaffirmed their governments' determination to implement fully the
commitments made under that agreement. President Bush expressed strong
support for Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization. The two
leaders welcomed the substantial progress achieved on the complete range of
issues in the recent bilateral negotiations regarding the obligations of
membership and agreed to intensify efforts to resolve remaining issues.
They also agreed to work together to promote favorable conditions for
increased U.S. investment in Vietnam.

President Bush expressed appreciation for Vietnam's ongoing cooperation in
our joint humanitarian effort to achieve the fullest possible accounting
for Americans who remain missing in action from the war, especially through
Joint Field Activities that have identified and repatriated the remains of
more than 520 U.S. soldiers. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Vietnam's
willingness to continue its close cooperation on this matter by carrying
out newly agreed measures. The two leaders agreed to continue cooperation
to address a range of issues that remain from the war.

The Prime Minister briefed the President on Vietnam's determination to
further economic, social, and legal reforms. The two leaders agreed on the
importance of continuing an open and candid dialogue on issues of common
concern, including human-rights practices and conditions for religious
believers and ethnic minorities. The President welcomed Vietnam's efforts
to date and encouraged further progress.

The Prime Minister briefed the President on Vietnam's determination to
further economic, social, and legal reforms. The two leaders agreed on the
importance of continuing an open and candid dialogue on issues of common
concern, including human-rights practices and conditions for religious
believers and ethnic minorities. The President welcomed Vietnam's efforts
to date and encouraged further progress.

The President and Prime Minister shared a vision of peace, prosperity, and
security in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, and they agreed to
cooperate bilaterally and multilaterally to promote these goals. The
President underscored the United States Government's support for peace,
stability, and cooperation in Southeast Asia and for the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Vietnam is an active member. The
two leaders noted the central role of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) forum in supporting trade and investment liberalization and in
promoting cooperative efforts to strengthen regional security. The
President congratulated Vietnam on its decision to host the APEC Summit in
Hanoi in 2006 and pledged to work closely with Vietnam and other member
economies to make the Summit a great success. Prime Minister Phan Van Khai
welcomed President Bush's expression of support and invited the President
to pay an official visit to Vietnam in conjunction with his attendance at
the 2006 APEC Summit.

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