The United States and Vietnam are expanding and deepening cooperative relations not only on economic and trade spheres but also on education, environment, human rights, anti-corruption and legislation, U.S. ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak said Wednesday. "This year we've seen Vietnam successfully take on its role as a member of the United Nations Security Council and, in July, as president of the council. As Vietnam's role on the world stage expands, our relationship deepens and broadens," Michalak said at a press briefing.
Regarding economic relation, the United States and Vietnam are finalizing the date for the first round of negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty, maybe in September or October, he said, noting that the future agreement will bring legal protection to the best international standard, helping draw stronger investment. Besides, the United States is considering Vietnam's proposal on granting it the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and market economy status, the ambassador said. "Our economic relationship continues to mature. Halfway through2008, two-way trade appears likely to once again break new ground and surpass the 12.53-billion U.S. dollar mark from 2007... U.S. investment is also poised to make a strong showing in 2008," he said.
The United States and Vietnam are making progress in cooperation on many other fields, including education, healthcare, climate change, law construction, human rights and anti-corruption. The two sides are selecting members of a bilateral task force on education to expand cooperation between the two governments and help more Vietnamese people study in the United States, he said, noting that Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung "signed an historic memorandum of understanding" (on the taskforce's establishment) during his visit to the United States in June. Regarding healthcare cooperation, the United States will expand the implementation of its President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to seven or eight Vietnamese provinces from current six ones, and keep on helping Vietnam detoxify its areas affected by Agent Orange and clear unexploded ordnances.
The United States and Vietnam have agreed to establish a working group on climate change, the ambassador said, adding that Vietnam's southern Mekong Delta will be its first area to be affected by climate change. The United States will be ready to offer technical assistance to the National Assembly of Vietnam, the country's top legislature, and have continued open dialogues and consultations with Vietnam about ensuring freedom of expression, religion and press and improving transparency to better combat corruption in the country, he said.
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