Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ten years after diplomatic relations were established between the U.S. and Vietnam, the two countries’ relationship is strong, and the momentum has picked up considerably, a senior U.S. diplomat said recently.

“While there are historical issues of significance and sensitivities, you also sense the strong bonds of friendship between the American and Vietnamese people," said U.S. Deputy Secretary Robert Zoellick in an interview with Vietnam Investment Review.

"I hope that the relationship will continue to progress on a fast pace,” he stressed.

The U.S. diplomat said that, as the U.S. Trade Representative over the past four years, he was pleased to be able to help pass the Basic Trade Agreement through the U.S. Congress.

He also expressed his pleasure that the U.S. Fulbright Program with Vietnam had sent more graduate students from Vietnam to the United States than any other in the world.

Better understanding

According to Zoellick, during his recent Vietnam visit, the two sides were able to announce an agreement on religious freedom that builds on the actions that the Vietnamese government is taking.

Additionally, Vietnam and the U.S. discussed some other items important to building the two countries' regional relationships, including the adoption issue, the work on MIAs and human rights issues.

The two sides also discussed the growing security cooperation on counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, organized crime and ship visits, according to him.

"All these connections show the growing interest that both countries have in the regional relationships," he remarked, citing Vietnam’s “growing influence in ASEAN.”

“We are very pleased that Vietnam will be the host of the APEC summit meeting next year," Zoellick added.

Strong support for Vietnam’s WTO bid

But, the U.S.’ strong support for Vietnamese accession to the World Trade Organization was “the most important message” he wanted to convey during the visit, he said.

Vietnamese negotiators are in the U.S. for the third round of bilateral talks over Vietnam’s bid to join the WTO.

U.S. and Vietnamese counterparts will be discussing some of the issues such as opening a services market in agriculture and goods, he informed.

Some of these items overlap with a full implementation of the Vietnam-U.S. basic trade agreement, particularly in the services area, said Zoellick.

“So there's significant work ahead, but my country is committed to working with Vietnam to try to move forward as rapidly as it can and make some of these changes in its legal system,” he reiterated.

Energetic, entrepreneurial people

"On my latest visit to Vietnam in May, I arrived late in the night and I saw a number of Vietnamese on scooters, and all around, working and being out late at night," he recalled.

When he got up early the next morning to exercise, Zoellick said he saw a large number of Vietnamese out early in the morning.

“So I don't know when people sleep, but they seem very energetic and entrepreneurial," Zoellick said.

(Source: Vietnam News Agency)