Socialist Republic of Vietnam

The US wants to see Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organization occur as soon as possible, and is committed to working with Hanoi to make it possible, a US diplomat said Tuesday.

"The US is also very much committed, as President Bush told Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in Washington, to Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO),” said the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Eric John, in a press briefing after arriving in Hanoi for a visit.

“Part of my meeting with the Trade Minister would be reiterating our very strong commitment to Vietnam's accession to WTO and our commitment to working with Ha Noi to make it possible", John stressed.

But the prime purpose for his visit, according to John, was to discuss with Vietnamese officials issues that he was responsible for, including those relating to countries that are of particular concern (CPC) in religion.

He said both the US and Vietnamese governments had a political and pragmatic commitment to work out and resolve these issues, and there was determination in both Washington and Hanoi to move forward in these issues.

John said that US always attached importance to relations with Vietnam.

"Vietnam is a very important relationship for us and certainly a very important part of my portfolio," John told the media.

John also praised achievements in bilateral trade, saying that "trade is really one of the areas where our two countries have really built a solid relationship.”

“If you look at the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and the progress that has been made in the level of trade between the US and Vietnam, [it] is astounding and has helped both sides very much," he said.

(Source: VNA)
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 28 September, 2005, 11:13:09 (GMT+7)
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