State President Nguyen Minh Triet said he believed the Viet Nam-US ties will see further developments in the future, serving the two nations’ interest. The president made the comment when he granted an interview to the Vietnamese media before his official visit to the United States, scheduled for June 18-23.The interview runs in full as follows:Q: Your upcoming official visit to the United States will be the first to the country by a head of state of Viet Nam. Could you elaborate on the significance of this visit?A: I will pay an official visit to the US from June 18-23 at the invitation of US President George W. Bush, an invitation he made when he visited Viet Nam and attended the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2006. The trip will take place in the context of positive developments in the relationship between the two countries and deep and wide cooperation in all fields, bringing practical results and meeting the interests and aspirations of the two countries’ people. I plan to discuss with President Bush and other US leaders specific measures to strengthen the effectiveness and stability in the Viet Nam-US relationship. I will meet with US residents as well as overseas Vietnamese who are living in the US in order to strengthen the friendship between the two peoples and boost the mutual understanding and sympathy between the two nations. I will also meet with US business circles and encourage them to increase their business in Viet Nam.In short, the visit will be of great importance to strengthening the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the people of the two countries.Q: Could you make an overall assessment of Viet Nam-US relations since the two countries normalised their diplomatic ties in July 1995 and the prospects for developing bilateral relations?A: Since the two countries normalised their diplomatic ties in July 1995, we have witnessed rapid progress in Viet Nam-US relations.The exchange of visits, particularly visits by high-ranking officials, businesspeople and representatives from mass organisations, have helped strengthen mutual understanding and create a firm foundation for multifaceted cooperation between the two sides.Two Joint Statements of leaders of the two countries, which were issued in June 2005 and November 2006, affirmed the two countries’ will to develop multi-faceted, constructive and friendly partnership on the basis of equality and mutual respect and benefit in an extensive, sustainable and efficient manner.Impressive progress has been made in trade-economic relations. Cooperation in humanitarian activities, culture, tourism, sports and the fight against terrorism and trans-national crimes has been gradually expanded.Although some differences remain, particularly those related to democracy and human rights, I believe that these differences are small as compared with the two countries’ common interests and they should be resolved through dialogues.With efforts and goodwill of both sides, I believe that bilateral relations would further develop in the future to serve the two nations’ interest and contribute to ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the Asian region.Q: Viet Nam is now an official member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), so how do you think the membership will affect economic, trade and investment relations between Viet Nam and the US? Do you have any message to the US business community, particularly those who are planning to invest in Viet Nam?A: In conjunction with dynamic economic development, political stability and safety, Viet Nam’s WTO membership, the US Government’s establishment of Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Viet Nam and Viet Nam’s successful organisation of the 14 th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting have helped improve Viet Nam’s position and prestige and make the Vietnamese market more attractive to foreign business circles. Many leading economic groups of the US have decided to put heavy investment in Viet Nam.I welcome US entrepreneurs to do business in Viet Nam. The Government of Viet Nam will continue to create a favourable environment and conditions for foreign investors to operate in the country.
Copyright, Vietnam News Agency (VNA)
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