[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.