Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem has held talks with his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice, focusing on bilateral issues and preparations for the upcoming US visit by the Vietnamese President.

The talks took place on Mar. 15 at the US State Department headquarters in Washington D.C. , one of the scheduled destinations on the agenda for the official visit by Khiem, who is also Deputy Prime Minister.

FM Khiem told his counterpart that his visit aims to speed up the implementation of the agreements reached by the two countries' leaders in line with the Joint Statements issued in June 2005 and November 2006.

The execution of these agreements will deepen the two countries' economic and trade ties, particularly after Viet Nam joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the US granted Viet Nam the Permanent Normal Trade Relation (PNTR) status, the Vietnamese diplomat noted.

Khiem also underscored that grounded on their fully-normalised ties, the two countries should focus on increasing their cooperation in a vast, stable and effective manner.

He suggested more visits at all levels should be made and efforts should be expanded to get the legislative bodies and people of both countries join hands in boosting bilateral cooperation in the spirit of friendly partnership.

Sticking to the view that the two countries’ economic and trade ties should be elevated to match their potential, the Vietnamese Deputy PM asked the US to adjust its economic-trade policy on Viet Nam in order to remove existing barriers.

In the talks, the Deputy PM proposed that the two sides should soon hold negotiations regarding a framework agreement on trade and investment.

He also expressed concerns about the US ’s monitoring mechanism of garments and textile imports and asked the US to take into consideration the application of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for imports from Viet Nam .

On her part, Secretary of State Rice affirmed that the US will cooperate closely with the Vietnamese side in preparing for the visit by President Nguyen Minh Triet.

Rice expressed delight at positive developments in the two countries' relationship and affirmed the US 's efforts to bring the relationship to a new height.

She informed the Vietnamese FM that the US would increase its assistance to Viet Nam in the fight against HIV/AIDS, avian influenza, and the trafficking of drugs.

Rice also expressed thanks to Viet Nam for its effective cooperation relating to MIAs.

She also expressed appreciation for the two sides' signing of many important accords and agreements, including the Maritime Shipping Agreement, a contract on the replacement of fuel in the Da Lat nuclear reactor, and a memorandum of understanding regarding copyrighted office software between the Ministry of Post and Telematics and Microsoft group.

Rice heralded these documents as a demonstration of the implementation of the two countries' joint statement issued last November.

At the talks, the two foreign ministers also discussed issues of mutual concern in a frank and open manner.

The same day, Deputy PM Khiem met with officials at the US Department of Finance and the World Bank, and visited the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the US Congress.

Deputy PM Khiem and US financial officials discussed measures to boost cooperation in the financial field and to assist Viet Nam in insurance and stock market management.

The WB's Acting President praised the achievements Viet Nam has obtained during its economic development and reform and pledged to further support this process.

The two sides also discussed specific projects the WB is implementing in Viet Nam . The WB official affirmed that the bank will focus on helping Viet Nam reduce poverty, address social issues, and improve its competitiveness now that the country has joined the World Trade Organisation.

The OPIC's Executive President John Simon affirmed that OPIC will accelerate activities to promote investment in projects to develop small and medium-sized enterprises, infrastructure, housing and offices.

Visiting the US Congress on March 15, Deputy PM Khiem met with the House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin, a group of four members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations including Senators Chuck Hagel, John Kerry, Jim Webb and Richard Lugar, and a group of young policy makers of the Democratic Party.

The Deputy PM briefed the US MPs on Viet Nam 's renovation process, and the results of bilateral cooperation. He expressed thanks to the MPs for their support to the granting of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Viet Nam .

Both the Vietnamese government leader and the MPs wished that the US-Viet Nam cooperation will be further boosted in the future.-Enditem