    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [June 25, 2008]
    [Pages 874-877]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement by the United States of America and the Socialist
    Republic of Vietnam
    June 25, 2008

        President George W. Bush welcomed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan
    Dung to the United States of America and to
    the White House yesterday for the fourth bilateral meeting between
    leaders of our two countries in as many years. The President and the
    Prime Minister discussed the progress made since they last met in
    Vietnam in 2006 and committed to specific efforts to carry this
    increasingly robust bilateral relationship forward. The two leaders
    agreed the relationship is based on a positive, growing friendship,
    mutual respect, and a shared commitment to pursuing constructive and
    multifaceted cooperation on a wide range of issues that will contribute
    to the development of the depth of the relationship, which is in the
    long-term interests of both countries. They also shared their

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    vision and goals for a stable, secure, democratic, and peaceful Asia-
    Pacific region and discussed future U.S.-Vietnam contributions to that
    end.
        The leaders welcomed the deepening
    economic ties, noting that two-way bilateral trade topped $12 billion in
    2007 and that the United States is Vietnam's top export market. Prime
    Minister Dung affirmed Vietnam's resolve to maintain macroeconomic
    stability and determination to implement its commitments under the World
    Trade Organization, the Bilateral Trade Agreement, and the Trade and
    Investment Framework Agreement; improve its legal system; and create
    conditions favorable for foreign investors and trade growth.
        The two leaders agreed that trade and
    economic ties are significant to the bilateral relationship. They
    announced that the United States and Vietnam would initiate negotiations
    toward a Bilateral Investment Treaty, signaling our commitment to open
    investment regimes and fair, non-discriminatory, and transparent
    treatment of foreign investment. President Bush affirmed that the United
    States is seriously reviewing Vietnam's request to be designated as a
    beneficiary of the Generalized System of Preferences program, and he
    acknowledged Vietnam's request to be accorded Market Economy Status.
    They noted the importance of efforts within the Asia-Pacific Economic
    Cooperation (APEC) forum to promote free and open trade and investment,
    including the prospect of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.
    President Bush reiterated the United States' general opposition to
    restrictions on food exports at a time of rising prices. The two leaders
    called on all countries to join in the effort to solve the world food
    problem. President Bush reaffirmed the United States' commitment to
    pursuing actions to maintain or expand existing assistance levels and to
    address the underlying conditions contributing to high food prices.
        The two leaders discussed expanding and
    strengthening our senior-level dialogues. They endorsed the creation of
    new political-military and policy planning talks, which will allow for
    more frequent and in-depth discussions on security and strategic issues.
    The two leaders noted the benefit of an open and candid dialogue on
    issues relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms. President Bush
    and Prime Minister Dung agreed on the importance of the rule of law in
    modern societies, and President Bush underscored the importance of
    promoting improved human rights practices and conditions for religious
    believers and ethnic minorities. Prime Minister Dung informed President
    Bush of the policies and efforts made by Vietnam in this area, and
    President Bush took note of Vietnam's efforts to date and encouraged
    further progress. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the
    Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the two leaders reaffirmed their
    commitment to promoting and securing fundamental human rights and
    liberties.
        The two leaders were pleased with the
    successes of Vietnamese Americans and noted their contribution to the
    promotion of the relationship between the two countries. President Bush
    welcomed these contributions and reiterated the U.S. government's
    support for Vietnam's national sovereignty, security, and territorial
    integrity.
        President Bush expressed appreciation for Vietnam's cooperation in
    our joint humanitarian effort to achieve the fullest possible accounting
    for Americans who remain missing in action and Vietnam's willingness to
    carry out additional measures, noting that the Joint Field Activities
    have allowed for the identification and repatriation of the remains of
    629 U.S. soldiers and reaffirmed the U.S. government's continued
    assistance in obtaining information for Vietnam's own accounting
    efforts. Prime Minister Dung highlighted the
    United States' assistance in this area as well. Prime Minister Dung
    applauded bilateral progress in addressing environmental contamination
    near former dioxin storage sites in Vietnam, particularly the ongoing
    implementation of $3 million

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    in U.S. funding for environmental remediation and health projects.
        President Bush congratulated Prime Minister Dung on his country's two-year membership on the United
    Nations Security Council. The two leaders reaffirmed that the two
    countries will continue consultations on the pressing issues that will
    face the Security Council. The Prime Minister informed the President
    that Vietnam is completing the preparatory process for its effective
    participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Prime Minister Dung thanked
    President Bush for the invitation for Vietnam to participate in the
    Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), through which Vietnam will
    participate in training courses and other activities on peacekeeping
    operations. President Bush noted the ongoing visit of the humanitarian
    ship the USNS Mercy to Vietnam.
        The two leaders expressed their wish to
    enhancing further U.S. relations with the Association of Southeast Asian
    Nations (ASEAN), and President Bush expressed his appreciation for
    Vietnam's active role in ASEAN. The two leaders discussed the areas of
    cooperation with ASEAN, including humanitarian assistance and Cyclone
    Nargis. President Bush reiterated that the United States is willing to
    work with ASEAN, the United Nations, and other non-governmental
    organizations to bring additional, much-needed humanitarian assistance
    to those affected by the devastating cyclone, and they discussed the
    need for entry and prompt access to all international aid workers to the
    disaster area.
        The two leaders underscored the
    importance of cooperation on education and agreed to launch a high-level
    bilateral Education Task Force that will chart a roadmap and identify
    effective modalities for enhanced U.S.-Vietnam education cooperation.
    The two leaders also welcomed the continued success of the Fulbright
    Program in Vietnam and the growing number of Vietnamese students who
    choose to study in the United States. President Bush underscored the
    importance of a future Peace Corps program in Vietnam. Prime Minister
    Dung agreed in principle to the President's proposal on such a program
    and that the two sides will continue discussion to finalize related
    arrangements.
        Prime Minister Dung thanked President
    Bush for assistance under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
    (PEPFAR), noting that many people in Vietnam, including vulnerable
    children, are now receiving care, support, antiretroviral treatment.
        The President expressed his commitment to continue the development
    of intercountry adoption cooperation between the United States and
    Vietnam that ensures the best interests of the child, respects his or
    her fundamental rights, and prevents the abduction and trafficking of
    children. The Prime Minister underscored
    that Vietnam shares these goals and stressed that Vietnam will speed up
    preparations for an early accession to the Hague Convention on
    Intercountry Adoptions. The Prime Minister also welcomed U.S. technical
    assistance in facilitating this step.
        Prime Minister Dung thanked President
    Bush for the United States' assistance on Vietnam's Atomic Energy Law as
    well as for technical information and training on nuclear safety.
        Finally, the two leaders discussed
    cooperation on climate issues. Prime Minister Dung and President Bush
    welcomed the commencement of the Delta Research and Global Observation
    Network (DRAGON) project in Vietnam, which will establish an institute
    at Can Tho University to cooperate on training and research to produce
    healthy ecosystems and sustainable deltas. The two leaders also agreed
    to work together to promote Vietnamese climate change adaptation and
    mitigation efforts, including the formation of a new subcommittee under
    the bilateral Science and Technology Agreement to discuss and coordinate
    joint initiatives.

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