Vietnamese and US Foreign Minister hold talks


Ha Noi, July 25 (VNA) -- Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien welcomed US Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit to Viet Nam and the United States' policy to continue developing its relationship with Viet Nam, including the ratification process of the bilateral trade agreement.

FM Nien held talks in Ha Noi today, July 25, with his US counterpart, Colin Powell, who has been in Ha Noi for the 8th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF-8) and the meeting of foreign ministers of ASEAN member countries and their dialogue partners.

FM Spokeswoman on a draft bill of some US congressmen



Ha Noi, July 12 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh has again stressed that the relationship between Viet Nam and the United States is one between two sovereign states, which is established on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty, non-intervention in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit.

Vietnam returns more American servicemen remains


Ha Noi, July 9 (VNA) -- The remains of five American servicemen listed as missing in action (MIA) were given to the U.S. Full Accounting Joint Task Force by representatives of the Viet Nam Office Seeking Missing Persons in Ha Noi on July 9.

The remains were found by joint Vietnamese-U.S. teams during the 64th joint search for MIAs from Feb. 8-Mar. 8, 2001. Those remains have gone through primary tests in Ha Noi by forensic doctors from both countries for identification.

Amb. Peterson paid farewell visits to Vietnamese leaders


Ha Noi, July 10 (VNA) -- State President Tran Duc Luong and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An on Tuesday, July 10, received U.S. Ambassador to Viet Nam Douglas Pete Peterson, who paid farewell visits to the Vietnamese leaders before concluding his tenure of office in the country.--VNA

Amb. Peterson on Vietnam-US ties


Ha Noi July 4 (VNA) -- An agreement on aviation cooperation and another on drug control between the U.S. and Viet Nam will be signed in the near future, American Ambassador to Viet Nam Pete Peterson told the International Cultural and Economic Exchange Club on July 3.

Before ending his term of office in Viet Nam, the Ambassador thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their active assistance in finding the remains of American servicemen missing in action from the war.

Vietnam-US to conduct joint research on Agent Orange


Ha Noi, July 4 (VNA) -- Viet Nam and the United States have agreed to conduct two research projects on Agent Orange/Dioxin.

The agreement was reached by the two countries' scientists, who have been in Ha Noi from July 2-6 to discuss measures to implement a long-term cooperation strategy in this domain between Viet Nam and the U.S.

Vietnam-US cooperation on immigration issue


(As of April, 2001)

The cooperation between Vietnam and the US on the immigration issue started very early, in the first years of 1980

Vietnam-US cooperation in accounting for MIA


(As of April, 2001


Cooperation between Vietnam and the US regarding the MIA issue now enters the 14th year. Since 1988 when the first joint field activity was conducted, previous administrations as well as the present one, many Congressional members and others have expressed their high appreciation of Vietnam

Veteran Association praises contribution of Amb. Peterson




Ha Noi, June 29 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's War Veterans Association President Senior Lieutenant General Tran Van Quang has praised U.S. Ambassador Pete Peterson's active contributions to normalizing Viet Nam-U.S. relations as well as promoting ties between the war veterans associations of the two countries.

Gen. Quang made the remark while meeting with the U.S. ambassador, who paid him a farewell visit today, June 29.

<B>Background information for the approval of BTA,/B>


Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA)

The Bilateral Trade Agreement signed on July 13, 2000, is the outcome of the persistent efforts by both sides over the 4 years of negotiations. It is an important step for Vietnam to integrate into the world economy on the WTO rules and principles.

1/ In comparison with other trade agreements, the Vietnam-US BTA is very unique and comprehensive with over 100 pages consisted of four parts: market access, trade in services, intellectual property rights, and investment.

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