Vietnam Government Portal, 23/07/2010

Vietnamese Deputy PM Phạm Gia Khiêm (R) shakes hands with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L), Hà Nội, July 22, 2010

Deputy PM Phạm Gia Khiêm on July 22 held talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who is present in Việt Nam for the ASEAN meetings and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Both the host and the guest shared the view that since the two countries normalized diplomatic relations in 1995, the bilateral relationship has fared well towards a friendly, constructive, and multifaceted partnership on the basis of equality, mutual respect and benefits, contributing to peace, security, stability and prosperity in Asia-Pacific Region.

The two sides agreed to continue to cement and deepen the ties on bilateral and international scales while considering economic cooperation as center of gravity and impetus for the development of their respective country and building a model partnership in responding to climate change and sea level rise.  

The Deputy PM suggested the US administration not impose anti-dumping tax and anti-subsidies on Vietnamese exports, early recognize Việt Nam’s market status and grant generalized system of preferences (GSP) to the country.

Mr. Khiêm also recommended that the US should increase its budget for mitigating wartime after-effects in Việt Nam.

Secretary of State Clinton said she was delighted to be in Hà Nội and gave assurances of the Obama Administration’s desire to strengthen its relationship with Việt Nam. She praised Việt Nam’s dynamic development and its increasing role in consolidating the ASEAN bloc.

The Secretary of State treasured the role and contributions of Việt Nam, as ASEAN Chair in 2010, to the bloc.

Right after the talks, both Deputy PM Phạm Gia Khiêm and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton participated in the 15th anniversary of Việt Nam-US diplomatic establishment which was jointly hosted by the Việt Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the American Chamber of Commerce.

Later, in Hà Nội, Minister of Justice Hà Hùng Cường and US Secretary of State Clinton signed the Memorandum of Understanding on HIV/AIDS cooperation between the two Governments./.