[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.