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Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 25, 2008

Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam

ÿÿWhite House News


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 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 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.

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