    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 46 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
    [Pages 2065-2067]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Joint Statement by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the United
    States of America

    November 17, 2006

        President Nguyen Minh Triet of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was
    pleased to welcome United States President George W. Bush to Vietnam.
    Looking back on the June 2005 Joint Statement by President Bush and then
    Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, both leaders expressed satisfaction at the
    progress the bilateral relationship has made, resulting in a U.S.-
    Vietnam relationship today that is multi-faceted and forward looking. It
    encompasses significant and growing trade and economic ties, an emerging
    military-to-military relationship, successful cooperation on health and
    development issues, growing cultural and educational links, a commitment
    to resolving remaining issues stemming from the war, a shared interest
    in ensuring peace,

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    stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, and frank and
    candid discussion of differences. The two sides reaffirmed their efforts
    to ensure that bilateral relations are stable, constructive, broad-
    based, and conducted on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual
    benefit.
        President Triet and President Bush applauded the historic milestone
    of Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organization and President
    Bush reiterated his firm support for the earliest possible Congressional
    approval of Permanent Normal Trade Relations. President Triet confirmed
    that Vietnam would fully uphold the rules-based trading system embedded
    in the WTO and join other members in their efforts to create a level
    playing field based on fairness, openness, and transparency. He welcomed
    President Bush's assurances that the United States would maintain open
    access to the U.S. market and support Vietnam's process of integration
    with the world economy. The two leaders anticipated an even greater
    amount of bilateral trade and investment, benefiting the people of both
    nations. President Bush also welcomed the Vietnamese leadership's
    determination to accelerate the course of doi moi reforms, build the
    rule of law, and combat corruption, and held that such efforts are
    important for Vietnam's economic vitality and favorable business and
    investment climate. The two Presidents also looked forward to the
    signing of a Maritime Transport Agreement at an early date to further
    accelerate growth in our vibrant economic relationship.
        President Bush and President Triet discussed the growing cooperation
    between the United States and Vietnam to address regional and global
    concerns. President Bush welcomed Vietnam's active engagement in
    international affairs aimed at maintaining peace, cooperation and
    development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, and noted his
    appreciation of Vietnam's support for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula
    and the consensus views of the UNSC as expressed in UNSCR 1718.
    President Triet welcomed the reconvening of the Six Party Talks and
    expressed the hope that a peaceful solution for the denuclearization of
    the Korean Peninsula would be reached.
        The two leaders pledged to increase cooperation to halt the
    proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related technology and
    materials in accordance with international and national laws and each
    country's capacities. They also pointed to the agreement on nuclear fuel
    replacement at the Dalat Research Reactor, and the signing of a
    Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Drug Enforcement
    Administration Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security, as examples of the
    diverse ways in which the two countries are working together to protect
    the safety and security of their peoples and others in the region.
        The two leaders looked especially to cooperation on the health front
    as an example of the tangible benefits of the United States and Vietnam
    working closely together. President Bush praised Vietnam's timely,
    effective, and transparent response to avian influenza in the country,
    which has prevented any further human outbreaks in Vietnam since October
    2005. He noted that Vietnam's efforts were a model for the region, and
    pledged continued U.S. support in responding to the threat of avian
    influenza. As Vietnam is one of the focus countries for President Bush's
    PEPFAR initiative on HIV/AIDS, the United States and Vietnam have also
    worked closely together to combat the scourge of this disease. The two
    leaders agreed to further strengthen the present positive cooperation.
    President Triet praised the work of the STAR initiative in Vietnam and
    the extension of this activity. President Triet also expressed
    appreciation for the U.S. Government's increasing development assistance
    to Vietnam and urged the U.S. side to increase humanitarian assistance
    including through cooperation on areas such as unexploded ordinance and
    continued assistance to Vietnamese with disabilities. The United States
    and Vietnam also agreed that further joint efforts to address the
    environmental contamination near former dioxin storage sites would make
    a valuable contribution to the continued development of their bilateral
    relationship.
        President Bush explained the National Security Strategy of the
    United States, which stresses the importance to world peace and
    stability of the development in every country

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    of full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. President
    Triet apprised President Bush of recently promulgated laws and
    regulations on religious freedom that are to be implemented in all
    localities of Vietnam. The two leaders also noted the importance of
    continuing to make progress in the bilateral human rights dialogue and
    reaffirmed that it should be conducted in a comprehensive, constructive
    and results-oriented manner.

        The two leaders expressed satisfaction with progress on resolving
    outstanding issues from the war and agreed that the two sides would
    continue cooperation in this respect. President Triet reaffirmed his
    Government's continued efforts to assist the United States to ensure the
    fullest possible accounting for Americans who remain missing in action,
    through both joint and enhanced unilateral actions. President Bush
    reaffirmed U.S. contributions to help obtain information on Vietnamese
    MIA cases.

        Presidents Triet and Bush discussed cooperation in regional affairs,
    and President Bush praised Vietnam's hosting of APEC this year as a
    demonstration of Vietnam's active and important role in promoting trade
    and economic liberalization and strengthening security in the region.
    President Triet noted the robust engagement by the United States with
    ASEAN, and looked towards increasing that cooperation through the U.S.-
    ASEAN Enhanced Partnership. The two leaders pledged continued efforts to
    seek mutual understanding on issues of regional and global concern.

        The two leaders noted the importance of high-level visits between
    the two countries to the development of Vietnam-U.S. relations in the
    future. President Bush invited President Triet to visit the United
    States in 2007 to continue these discussions; President Triet thanked
    President Bush and accepted the invitation with pleasure.

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