[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 25 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[Pages 848-849]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following Discussions With President Nguyen Minh Triet of 
Vietnam

June 22, 2007

    President Bush. Mr. President, thank you for coming. Laura and I 
remember very fondly our trip to your beautiful country. And I remember 
so very well the warm reception that we received from your Government 
and the people of Vietnam.
    I explained to the President, we want to have good relations with 
Vietnam. And we've got good economic relations. We signed a Trade and 
Investment Framework Agreement. And I was impressed by the growing 
Vietnamese economy.
    I also made it very clear that in order for relations to grow deeper 
that it's important for our friends to have a strong commitment to human 
rights and freedom and democracy. I explained my strong belief that 
societies are enriched when people are allowed to express themselves 
freely or worship freely.
    I thanked the President for his continued cooperation on the issue 
of POWs and MIAs. I saw firsthand that cooperation when I was in 
Vietnam. We are now extending our search to missing remains in some of 
the coastal regions of Vietnam.
    I also told the President that Congress recently passed 
appropriations measures to help with dioxin, or Agent Orange. It has 
helped the people of his country. And, as well, we're firmly committed 
to helping Vietnam in the battle against HIV/AIDS.
    And so we welcome you, Mr. President. And thank you for the frank 
and candid discussion.
    President Triet. Upon the kind invitation extended to me by 
President Bush, I have decided to make this official visit to the United 
States. And I would like to thank Mr. President for your warm and kind 
hospitality. And also, to you, I would like to extend my thanks to the 
American people for their warm hospitality.
    Over the last couple of days, I have had the fortunate opportunity 
to meet with a large number of American people and American businesses. 
And everywhere I went and anywhere I met, I always--I was always 
extended good hospitality and cooperation.

[[Page 849]]

    It's very impressive that yesterday I had a chance to visit a farmer 
who raised grapes. And the life is very happy, and they have a warmth of 
feelings toward Vietnam. And the owner had to hug me several times, 
hesitating to say good bye to us, and that demonstrates the desire for 
friendship between our two peoples.
    And President Bush and I have had productive and constructive 
discussions. And both sides agree that our bilateral relationship has 
continued to develop. Especially since Mr. President's last visit to 
Vietnam, our relations have witnessed a new, fine development. On the 
economic front, our cooperation has been intensified. In addition to 
that, our cooperation has also intensified in other areas such as 
humanitarian cooperation, science, technology, education, and training.
    And I sincerely thank the U.S. Government and people for your aid to 
HIV and AIDS patients. And we highly appreciate the Congress 
appropriations for dioxin and Agent Orange victims. And I believe that 
the increased and good relationship between our two country would 
benefit not only our two countries but also constitute a constructive 
factor for safeguarding peace and stability in our region.
    And we have also discussed on specific measures of how to advance 
further our relations in a wide range of areas, be it political, 
economic, trade, investment, education, or training, humanitarian, et 
cetera. And in short, our relations are broadened, deepened on a 
sustainable and effective--in a sustainable and effective manner. And as 
Mr. President has mentioned, both sides have just signed a Trade 
Investment Framework Agreement, TIFA, and many other high-value economic 
agreements and contracts.
    And Mr. President and I also had direct and open exchange of views 
on a matter that we remain different, especially on matters related to 
religion and human rights. And our approach is that we would increase 
our dialog in order to have a better understanding of each other. And we 
are also determined not to let those differences afflict our overall, 
larger interest.
    And I also would like to take this opportunity to send a message to 
American people, particularly the good feelings from Vietnamese people 
to American people. I would like to tell you that Vietnam nowadays is a 
stable, peaceful, and friendly country. And Vietnamese people want to 
have a good consolidarity and friendship with American people. And so if 
both peoples--both want peace, friendship, and solidarity, then we 
should join hands and march toward the future.
    And on this occasion, I also would like to extend my warmest 
greetings to my fellow man living in the United States. And Vietnamese 
Americans are part and parcel of the Vietnamese nation. And it is my 
desire to see them succeed, and hope they will continue to serve as a 
bridge of friendship between our two countries.
    And so, once again, I would like to thank Mr. President and the U.S. 
Government and American people for your warm hospitality.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 10:50 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. President Triet spoke in Vietnamese, and his remarks were 
translated by an interpreter.