[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
[[Page 875]]
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
[[Page 876]]
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.
[[Page 877]]
Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
this joint statement.