[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 25 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[Pages 1038-1039]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

[[Page 1039]]

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.
    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.