Socialist Republic of Vietnam

WASHINGTON — Viet Nam and the United States pledged to take their multi-faceted bilateral relationship to new heights yesterday.

The promise was made at an histsoric meeting between Viet Nam’s Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and US President George W Bush at the White House.

The stronger ties would be achieved on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, said a joint statement issued following their talks.

In keeping with the spirit of their talks, the Prime Minister and the President agreed to foster greater contact between their respective executives and legislative bodies; commercial and scientific communities; the military of both countries; and, their citizens.

They would also encourage more cultural and educational exchanges, particularly through the Viet Nam Education Foundation.

The Prime Minister and the President underscored the common interest both countries had in further strengthening bilateral co-operation based on a stable and durable partnership.

They agreed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral co-operation in dealing with transnational issues, including the global fight against terrorism, transnational crime, narcotics, and people trafficking.

They would also work to deepen co-operation on health and humanitarian issues, including the prevention of pandemics, especially of HIV/AIDS and Avian flu.

The Prime Minister won the support of President Bush for Viet Nam’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation.

The President met with Phan Van Khai in the Oval Office after having invited Viet Nam’s Prime Minister to visit the US to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties on the tenth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The two said they were pleased with the progress of the relationship.

They affirmed that it was characterised by mutual respect, growing economic and commercial ties as well as a shared interest in peace, prosperity and security in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific.

They also reaffirmed their intention to continue discussing issues where differences remain.

They applauded the success of the 2001 Bilateral Trade Agreement in accelerating two-way trade and reaffirmed the determination of their governments to implement fully the commitments made as part of the agreement.

They also welcomed the substantial progress achieved in a complete range of issues in recent bilateral negotiations over the obligations of World Trade Organisation membership and agreed to intensify efforts to resolve remaining issues.

The two agreed to work together to promote favourable conditions for increased US investment in Viet Nam.

President Bush expressed his appreciation of Viet Nam’s continuing co-operation in the 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 US soldiers.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Viet Nam’s willingness to continue its close co-operation by carrying out newly agreed measures.

The Prime Minister and the President agreed to continue co-operation to address a range of issues that remain from the war.

The Prime Minister briefed the President about Viet Nam’s determination to further economic, social and legal reforms.

They also agreed about the importance of continuing an open and candid discussion of issues of common concern, including human-rights practices and conditions for religious believers and ethnic minorities.

The President praised Viet Nam’s effort to date and encouraged further progress.

The Prime Minister and the President said they attached great importance to the efforts of Vietnamese-Americans and Vietnamese living in the United States to promote friendly and co-operative relations between the two countries.

The Prime Minister welcomed their contributions in strengthening Viet Nam’s economic and social development and he discussed his government’s efforts to encourage and facilitate visits and investment.

The President welcomed these efforts and reiterated the US government’s support for Viet Nam’s security and territorial integrity.

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 co-operate bilaterally and multilaterally to promote these goals.

The President underscored the United States Government’s support for peace, stability, and co-operation in Southeast Asia and for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations of which Viet Nam is an active member.

The Prime Minister and the President noted the central role of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in supporting trade and investment liberalisation and in promoting co-operative efforts to strengthen regional security.

The President congratulated Viet Nam on its decision to host the APEC Summit in Ha Noi in 2006 and pledged to work closely with Viet Nam and other member economies to make the Summit a great success.

The Prime Minister welcomed President Bush’s expression of support and invited the President to pay an official visit to Viet Nam in conjunction with his attendance at the 2006 APEC Summit.

PM sees MoUs signed

In Seattle, earlier, the prime minister witnessed the signing of two memorandums of understanding with Microsoft.

The MoUs between the Education and Training Ministry, Viet Nam’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the US computer giant provides for the supply of software and computer accessories to Viet Nam and help with the training of primary and secondary teachers of information technology.

Microsoft has also pledged to help Viet Nam’s small-to-medium sized enterprises become more competitive through their development and application of information technology.

The signing was done at Microsoft’s headquarters during the second day of the prime minister’s historic visit.

At the ceremony, Khai said Microsoft had contributed to the growth of both the US and world economies.

Though living in a poor country, Vietnamese, with their intelligence and fondness for learning, were determined to reach scientific peaks, particularly in information technology, he told Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.

He expressed the hope that Gates and Microsoft would continue their efforts to boost Viet Nam’s software industry.

But in the short term, Viet Nam was looking forward to Microsoft’s help with training information technology teachers.

In reply, Gates said the opening of a Microsoft office in Ha Noi in 1996 showed the corporation’s commitment to developing Viet Nam’s information technology industries.

The signing of the MoUs was a step forward in this co-operation.

Before visiting Microsoft’s headquarters, the prime minister met with executives of the US-based APEC Business Group.

In addition, he and representatives of the government of Washington State witnessed the signing of two other MoUs for US investment in Viet Nam.
The People’s Committee of the northeastern province of Quang Ninh signed with the California-based Dinh Street 1 LLC, an MoU for a US$25 million investment.

The other MoU was between the Civil Engineering Construction Corporation 5 and Pegasus Global for a project to build a plastic granules factory in Ha Long City.

Viet Nam News, June 22, 2005