[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 25 (Monday, June 30, 2008)]
[Pages 906-908]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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

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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 
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, anti-retroviral 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

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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.

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