PM Dũng and President Bush enter talks

President Bush welcomes PM Dũng – Photo: VNGOP

In the friendly and constructive talks, President Bush praised the Vietnamese Government’s efforts and solutions to rein in inflation and stabilize macro-economy. The two leaders asserted that the Việt Nam-US bilateral relation is vigorously developing, and agreed to cement and deepen the constructive, friendly, multifaceted partnership of equality, mutual respect and benefits, in the interests of the two peoples and for the sake of peace, security, stability and development in Southeast Asia and Asia.

PM Dũng and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation in talks with President Bush and the US delegation – Photo: VNGOP

Both the host and the guest agreed to upgrade the dialogue mechanism of senior officials, focusing on political, security and defence issues; establish a new senior-level regime on issues of education, environment, science and technology; and continue the current dialogues on economic and humanitarian issues. The US President once again reiterated his support for Việt Nam’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. The two leaders showed their pleasure at successes gained by the Vietnamese Americans and recognized their positive contributions to the relationship between the two countries. PM Dũng emphasized that the Vietnamese Government always considers overseas Vietnamese an indispensable component of the nation and will provide best conditions to them.

The two leaders agreed to develop economic, trade and investment ties as the foundation and motive to place the Việt Nam-US bilateral friendship and cooperation on new plane. PM Dũng reaffirmed Việt Nam’s determination to put into reality all bilateral and international economic commitments; further improve its business and investment environment. Both the host and the guest declared that Việt Nam and the US will kick off negotiations for the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). President Bush stated that the US is reviewing Việt Nam’s request to join the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program and acknowledged Việt Nam’s request to be accorded the market economy status. The US pledged to import fruits from Việt Nam soon.

The two sides agreed to strengthen educational cooperation and agreed to found an education task force to outline and propose the two Governments effective solutions for the bilateral cooperation in this field in the time to come. In environmental cooperation, they agreed to establish a new subcommittee under the Bilateral Agreement on Science and Technology to help Việt Nam in conducting researches to respond to the climate change and rising sea level. President Bush said that the US expects to build an examplary partnership with Việt Nam in this field.

The two leaders reached consensus in boosting cooperation to address humanitarian issues left by the war. The host reiterated that the US would further assist Việt Nam in fighting against HIV/AIDS, clearing landmines, sterilizing dioxin-contaminated areas, carrying out healthcare projects, and seeking for the Vietnamese MIAs. They pledged to continue mutual reference and cooperation within the UN Security Council and in dealing with international and regional issues of common benefits, such as anti-terrorism, epidemic prevention, struggle against transnational crimes, and food security.

PM Dũng and President Bush in the Oval Office, White House – Photo: VNGOP

In the press conference at the Oval Office, President Bush and PM Dũng briefed the fundamental contents of their talks. The two leaders acknowledged the importance of joint efforts within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in order to enhance free trade and investment as well as the prospect of a Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area.

PM Dũng witnesses the conferral of the investment license to Gannon Việt Nam to build a brewery in Long An – Photo: VNGOP

In the afternoon of the day, PM Dũng paid a visit to the US Department of Commerce, where he witnessed the signing of a MoU on trade promotion; an agreement on alluminum industry development; a contract to expand the Global System for Mobile Communications; a contract to build a hi-tech services network for air passengers. In the witness of PM Dũng, investment licenses were also granted to Gannon Việt Nam to build a berewery in Long An and to SSA Marines to realize the Cái Lân Seaport Project.

The Vietnamese PM and his entourage also met some senior leaders of the two parties, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Presidents and CEOs from companies operating in finance, trade, IT, electronics, hotel, and consumer good production.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gate receives PM Dũng - Photo: VNGOP

In the same afternoon, PM Dũng visited the US Department of Defense.

Talking to Secretary of Defense Robert Gate and other senior officials, the two sides agreed to develop the defense cooperation in line with the bilateral relationship between the two countries, on the basis of mutual trust, understanding, and respect for national independence and sovereignty, in the interests of each respective nation, and for the sake of peace and prosperity in the regions and the world. The two sides committed to close coordination in addressing consequences left by the war.

Secretary Robert Gate expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Government and people for their effective cooperation with American counterparts in searching for MIAs. He pledged to strengthen cooperation with Việt Nam in seeking for Vietnamese MIAs, tackling agent-orange consequences, clearing landmines and other kinds of explosive.

PM Dũng has a phone call with Mr. John McCain - Photo: VNGOP

Also on June 24, Republican Presidential candidate John McCain had a phone call with PM Dũng. Mr. McCain asserted that the Việt Nam–US will develop to a new height. He also revealed his plan to visit Việt Nam late this year if he win the presidential election.

Filipino President Gloria Arroyo acquires Việt Nam’s experience of curbing inflation

PM Dũng  and Filipino President Arroyo - Photo: VNGOP

Filipino President Gloria Arroyo, who is also on a visit to the US, paid a courtesy visit to PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng on June 24. She thanked Việt Nam for maintaining rice export, contributing to the supplies to the world market and helping the Philippines to reduce its food difficulties. Highly speaking of Việt Nam’s solutions to settle economic difficulties, Ms. Gloria Arroyo asked PM Dũng for some experience of curbing inflation.

After explaining eight-solution package to rein in inflation, stabilize macro-economy, stabilize the social security, and maintain growth, PM Dũng reiterated that Việt Nam will guarantee its rice export as agreed with the Philippines.

By Xuân Hồng