    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [June 21, 2005]
    [Pages 1032-1033]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Socialist
    Republic of Vietnam
    June 21, 2005

        President George W. Bush welcomed Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to the White House today to discuss ways to
    strengthen bilateral ties on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the
    establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and
    Vietnam. The President and Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with
    progress to date and affirmed that U.S.-Vietnam relations are
    characterized by mutual respect, growing economic and commercial ties,
    shared interests in regional peace, prosperity, and security in
    Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific region, and increasing cooperation
    on a range of common concerns. Both leaders reaffirmed their intention
    to continue dialogue on issues on which differences remain.
        The President and Prime Minister
    underscored the two countries' common interest in further strengthening
    bilateral cooperation in the context of a stable and durable
    partnership. To this end, the President and Prime Minister stated their
    intention to bring bilateral relations to a higher plane by developing a
    friendly, constructive, and multi-faceted cooperative partnership on the
    basis of equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit. In that spirit,
    the two leaders agreed to encourage greater contact between their
    countries' respective executive and legislative branches, commercial and
    scientific communities, militaries, and citizens and to encourage more
    cultural and educational exchanges, in particular through the Vietnam
    Education Foundation. They further agreed to strengthen bilateral and
    multilateral cooperation on transnational issues, including the global
    fight against terrorism, transnational crime, narcotics, and trafficking
    in persons and to deepen cooperation on health and humanitarian issues,
    including the prevention of pandemics, especially of HIV/AIDS and Avian
    Influenza.
        The President and Prime Minister applauded
    the success of our 2001 Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in accelerating
    two-way trade, and they reaffirmed their governments' determination to
    implement fully the commitments made under that agreement. President
    Bush expressed strong support for Vietnam's accession to the World Trade
    Organization. The two leaders welcomed the substantial progress achieved
    on the complete range of issues in the recent bilateral negotiations
    regarding the obligations of membership and agreed to intensify efforts
    to resolve remaining issues. They also agreed to work together to
    promote favorable conditions for increased U.S. investment in Vietnam.
        President Bush expressed appreciation for Vietnam's ongoing
    cooperation in our 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 U.S. soldiers. The Prime
    Minister reaffirmed Vietnam's willingness to
    continue its close cooperation on this matter by carrying out newly
    agreed measures. The two leaders agreed to continue cooperation to
    address a range of issues that remain from the war.

    [[Page 1033]]

        The Prime Minister briefed the President
    on Vietnam's determination to further economic, social, and legal
    reforms. The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing an open
    and candid dialogue on issues of common concern, including human-rights
    practices and conditions for religious believers and ethnic minorities.
    The President welcomed Vietnam's efforts to date and encouraged further
    progress.
        The President and the Prime Minister
    attached great importance to the efforts of Vietnamese-Americans and
    Vietnamese residing in the United States in promoting friendly and
    cooperative relations between the two countries. The Prime Minister
    welcomed their contributions in strengthening Vietnam'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 U.S. government's support for Vietnam'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 cooperate bilaterally and
    multilaterally to promote these goals. The President underscored the
    United States Government's support for peace, stability, and cooperation
    in Southeast Asia and for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
    (ASEAN), of which Vietnam is an active member. The two leaders noted the
    central role of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in
    supporting trade and investment liberalization and in promoting
    cooperative efforts to strengthen regional security. The President
    congratulated Vietnam on its decision to host the APEC Summit in Hanoi
    in 2006 and pledged to work closely with Vietnam and other member
    economies to make the Summit a great success. Prime Minister Phan Van
    Khai welcomed President Bush's expression of support and invited the
    President to pay an official visit to Vietnam in conjunction with his
    attendance at the 2006 APEC Summit.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.