Vietnam and the US adopted on July 7 (local time) a joint visionstatement between the two countries on the occasion of the officialvisit to the US by General Secretary of the Communist Party of VietnamCentral Committee Nguyen Phu Trong from July 6-10 at the invitation ofthe US administration.
The statement recognises the positive andsubstantive developments in many areas of cooperation over the past 20years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the twocountries, and affirms continued pursuit of a deepened, sustained, andsubstantive relationship on the basis of respect for the United NationsCharter, international law, and each other’s political systems.
Itstresses the increase of cooperation on global and regional issues.Both countries are concerned about recent developments in the East Sea(internationally known as South China Sea) that have increased tensions,eroded trust, and threatened to undermine peace, security, andstability.
Following is the full text of the Joint Vision Statement:
“At the invitation of the Administration of President Barack Obama,His Excellency Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the CentralCommittee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), paid a historic visitto the United States, the first by a CPV’s General Secretary. Onthis occasion, which included a meeting between President Barack Obamaand General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the White House on July 7,2015, the United States and Vietnam adopted this Joint Vision Statement.
The United States and Vietnam recognize thepositive and substantive developments in many areas of cooperation overthe past 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations,particularly the growth in economic and trade cooperation, cooperationin addressing war legacy issues as well as in science and technology,education, healthcare, environment, response to climate change, defense,security, human rights, and increasing regional and internationalcooperation on issues of mutual concern.
The UnitedStates and Vietnam have made numerous significant accomplishments sincethe formation of the United States – Vietnam Comprehensive Partnershipin 2013. In particular, there has been continued rapid growth inbilateral trade and investment; the entry into force of the “123”Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy;Vietnam’s endorsement of the Proliferation Security Initiative’sStatement of Interdiction Principles; the easing of United Statesrestriction of arms sales; the signing of the Joint Vision Statement onDefense Relations; and increased cooperation on regional andmultilateral issues. The first-ever dialogues and exchanges betweenentities associated with the Communist Party of Vietnam on the one handand institutes associated with the Republican and Democratic Parties inthe United States on the other also took place, as envisaged by the 2013Comprehensive Partnership.
The achievements inUnited States – Vietnam relations are possible thanks to constructivejoint efforts to rise above the past, overcome differences, and promoteshared interests looking toward the future.
Vision for United States – Vietnam Relations: Deepening a Long-Term Partnership
Looking toward the future of bilateral relations and building on theComprehensive Partnership, both countries affirm their continued pursuitof a deepened, sustained, and substantive relationship on the basis ofrespect for the United Nations Charter, international law, and eachother’s political systems, independence, sovereignty and territorialintegrity. The two sides are committed to maximizing shared interestsand cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, for thebenefit of both peoples, contributing to peace, stability, cooperationand prosperity in the Asia – Pacific region and the world.
Strengthening political and diplomatic relations, increasing exchangesat high levels, and expanding bilateral consultations to continue tobuild trust and improve cooperation remain priorities for both theUnited States and Vietnam, as are enhancing economic, trade, andinvestment cooperation and deepening cooperation in science andtechnology, education, training, health, environment, and lawenforcement. The two countries recognize the success of the Vietnamesecommunity in the United States and their many contributions both to thedevelopment of the United States and Vietnam and to better UnitedStates-Vietnam bilateral relations.
The UnitedStates and Vietnam reaffirm continued bilateral cooperation in defenseand security, as outlined in the United States – Vietnam Joint VisionStatement on Defense Relations. Both countries underscore theircommitment to collaborating on, among other issues, addressingnon-traditional security threats, cooperation in maritime security,maritime domain awareness, defense trade and information sharing, searchand rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and defensetechnology exchange. Both countries welcome joint efforts to addresswar legacy issues, including the humanitarian mission of missing inaction (MIA) recovery, the clearance of unexploded ordinance and dioxinremediation, and further assistance for these humanitarian efforts.
The United States and Vietnam expect to work inclose coordination with the other negotiating parties to conclude theambitious and comprehensive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement assoon as possible and to carry out whatever reforms may be necessary tomeet the high standards of the TPP agreement, including as necessarywith respect to commitments relating to the 1998 ILO Declaration ofFundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Both countries are committedto a high-quality, balanced TPP agreement that meets the interests ofall parties and creates a new long-lasting, mutually beneficialframework for economic and trade cooperation between the United Statesand Vietnam, while providing a new impetus for regional economiccooperation and contributing to cooperation and prosperity in theAsia-Pacific region. The United States applauds Vietnam’s progress ineconomic reforms and affirms continued support for and constructiveengagement with Vietnam, and the United States notes Vietnam’s interestin pursuing market economy country status.
Bothcountries pledge continued support for the promotion and protection ofhuman rights and support the maintenance of positive, frank, andconstructive dialogue on human rights to improve mutual understanding,and reduce differences. They encourage further cooperation to ensurethat everyone, including members of vulnerable groups, regardless oftheir gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, and includingpersons with disabilities, enjoy fully their human rights. The UnitedStates welcomes Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to harmonize its laws with its2013 Constitution and international commitments, which Vietnamundertakes for its comprehensive development, including the promotionand protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The UnitedStates welcomes Vietnam’s ratification of the Convention Against Tortureand other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and theConvention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the twocountries look forward to technical cooperation in this regard.
The United States and Vietnam expect to accelerate educationcooperation, including through institutions like Fulbright UniversityVietnam and other university partnerships and in the areas of Englishlanguage collaboration. The promotion of people-to-people exchangesremains important. Both countries expect to consider visafacilitation measures to encourage greater numbers of tourists,students, and business visitors to both countries, and call for relevantUnited States and Vietnamese agencies to conclude as soon as possible abilateral agreement on the construction of new compounds of theirrepresentative missions, including their embassies.
Increasing Cooperation on Global and Regional Issues
The United States welcomes Vietnam’s active international integrationpolicy, and Vietnam welcomes the United States’ policy of enhancedcooperation with the Asia-Pacific region. Each country commends theother’s contribution to supporting peace, security, stability andprosperity in the region and the world over. The United States andVietnam are also committed to strengthening cooperation on regional andglobal issues of mutual interest and concern.
Thetwo countries are committed to promoting cooperation on sustainabledevelopment, addressing traditional and non-traditional securitythreats, including natural disasters, wildlife trafficking, watersecurity, and pandemics. The two countries are committed to expandingcollaboration on peacekeeping operations and climate change and lookforward to the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit and to concrete nationalactions to promote nuclear security. The two countries pledge to expandcooperation on the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), includingtoward achieving the GHSA targets as soon as possible.
The United States and Vietnam are committed to enhancing cooperationin regional fora, such as the Asia – Pacific Economic Cooperation forum,Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, LowerMekong Initiative, and the East Asia Summit, and recognize theimportance of a united and strong ASEAN, ASEAN’s central role in theregional political and security architecture, and the United States –ASEAN Strategic Partnership.
Both countries areconcerned about recent developments in the South China Sea that haveincreased tensions, eroded trust, and threatened to undermine peace,security, and stability. They recognize the imperative of upholding theinternationally-recognized freedoms of navigation and overflight;unimpeded lawful commerce, maritime security and safety; refraining fromactions that raise tensions; ensuring that all actions and activitiestakencomply with international law; and rejecting coercion,intimidation, and the use or threat of force. Both countries support thepeaceful resolution of disputes in conformity with international law,including as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law ofthe Sea of 10 December 1982 (UNCLOS), and recognize the importance offully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in theSouth China Sea in its entirety, as well as efforts to conclude the Codeof Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Agreements and Arrangements Reached
The following agreements and arrangements foster development of UnitedStates – Vietnam bilateral relations and form the firm foundation uponwhich both countries’ future cooperation will continue to build, suchas:
- The Agreement between theGovernment of Vietnam and the government of the U.S. for the avoidanceof double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect totaxes on income (DTA) and the Protocol to the DTA;
-The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of NationalDefence of Vietnam and the Department of Defense of the United States onUnited Nations peacekeeping cooperation;
- TheMemorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development of Vietnam and the United States Agency forInternational Development regarding the Emerging Pandemic ThreatsProgram and the Global Health Security Agenda;
-The Grant Agreement between the United States Trade and DevelopmentAgency and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam; and
- Vietnam’s granting of the license for the new Fulbright University Vietnam.”-VNA
The statement recognises the positive andsubstantive developments in many areas of cooperation over the past 20years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the twocountries, and affirms continued pursuit of a deepened, sustained, andsubstantive relationship on the basis of respect for the United NationsCharter, international law, and each other’s political systems.
Itstresses the increase of cooperation on global and regional issues.Both countries are concerned about recent developments in the East Sea(internationally known as South China Sea) that have increased tensions,eroded trust, and threatened to undermine peace, security, andstability.
Following is the full text of the Joint Vision Statement:
“At the invitation of the Administration of President Barack Obama,His Excellency Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the CentralCommittee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), paid a historic visitto the United States, the first by a CPV’s General Secretary. Onthis occasion, which included a meeting between President Barack Obamaand General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the White House on July 7,2015, the United States and Vietnam adopted this Joint Vision Statement.
The United States and Vietnam recognize thepositive and substantive developments in many areas of cooperation overthe past 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations,particularly the growth in economic and trade cooperation, cooperationin addressing war legacy issues as well as in science and technology,education, healthcare, environment, response to climate change, defense,security, human rights, and increasing regional and internationalcooperation on issues of mutual concern.
The UnitedStates and Vietnam have made numerous significant accomplishments sincethe formation of the United States – Vietnam Comprehensive Partnershipin 2013. In particular, there has been continued rapid growth inbilateral trade and investment; the entry into force of the “123”Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy;Vietnam’s endorsement of the Proliferation Security Initiative’sStatement of Interdiction Principles; the easing of United Statesrestriction of arms sales; the signing of the Joint Vision Statement onDefense Relations; and increased cooperation on regional andmultilateral issues. The first-ever dialogues and exchanges betweenentities associated with the Communist Party of Vietnam on the one handand institutes associated with the Republican and Democratic Parties inthe United States on the other also took place, as envisaged by the 2013Comprehensive Partnership.
The achievements inUnited States – Vietnam relations are possible thanks to constructivejoint efforts to rise above the past, overcome differences, and promoteshared interests looking toward the future.
Vision for United States – Vietnam Relations: Deepening a Long-Term Partnership
Looking toward the future of bilateral relations and building on theComprehensive Partnership, both countries affirm their continued pursuitof a deepened, sustained, and substantive relationship on the basis ofrespect for the United Nations Charter, international law, and eachother’s political systems, independence, sovereignty and territorialintegrity. The two sides are committed to maximizing shared interestsand cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, for thebenefit of both peoples, contributing to peace, stability, cooperationand prosperity in the Asia – Pacific region and the world.
Strengthening political and diplomatic relations, increasing exchangesat high levels, and expanding bilateral consultations to continue tobuild trust and improve cooperation remain priorities for both theUnited States and Vietnam, as are enhancing economic, trade, andinvestment cooperation and deepening cooperation in science andtechnology, education, training, health, environment, and lawenforcement. The two countries recognize the success of the Vietnamesecommunity in the United States and their many contributions both to thedevelopment of the United States and Vietnam and to better UnitedStates-Vietnam bilateral relations.
The UnitedStates and Vietnam reaffirm continued bilateral cooperation in defenseand security, as outlined in the United States – Vietnam Joint VisionStatement on Defense Relations. Both countries underscore theircommitment to collaborating on, among other issues, addressingnon-traditional security threats, cooperation in maritime security,maritime domain awareness, defense trade and information sharing, searchand rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and defensetechnology exchange. Both countries welcome joint efforts to addresswar legacy issues, including the humanitarian mission of missing inaction (MIA) recovery, the clearance of unexploded ordinance and dioxinremediation, and further assistance for these humanitarian efforts.
The United States and Vietnam expect to work inclose coordination with the other negotiating parties to conclude theambitious and comprehensive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement assoon as possible and to carry out whatever reforms may be necessary tomeet the high standards of the TPP agreement, including as necessarywith respect to commitments relating to the 1998 ILO Declaration ofFundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Both countries are committedto a high-quality, balanced TPP agreement that meets the interests ofall parties and creates a new long-lasting, mutually beneficialframework for economic and trade cooperation between the United Statesand Vietnam, while providing a new impetus for regional economiccooperation and contributing to cooperation and prosperity in theAsia-Pacific region. The United States applauds Vietnam’s progress ineconomic reforms and affirms continued support for and constructiveengagement with Vietnam, and the United States notes Vietnam’s interestin pursuing market economy country status.
Bothcountries pledge continued support for the promotion and protection ofhuman rights and support the maintenance of positive, frank, andconstructive dialogue on human rights to improve mutual understanding,and reduce differences. They encourage further cooperation to ensurethat everyone, including members of vulnerable groups, regardless oftheir gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, and includingpersons with disabilities, enjoy fully their human rights. The UnitedStates welcomes Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to harmonize its laws with its2013 Constitution and international commitments, which Vietnamundertakes for its comprehensive development, including the promotionand protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The UnitedStates welcomes Vietnam’s ratification of the Convention Against Tortureand other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and theConvention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the twocountries look forward to technical cooperation in this regard.
The United States and Vietnam expect to accelerate educationcooperation, including through institutions like Fulbright UniversityVietnam and other university partnerships and in the areas of Englishlanguage collaboration. The promotion of people-to-people exchangesremains important. Both countries expect to consider visafacilitation measures to encourage greater numbers of tourists,students, and business visitors to both countries, and call for relevantUnited States and Vietnamese agencies to conclude as soon as possible abilateral agreement on the construction of new compounds of theirrepresentative missions, including their embassies.
Increasing Cooperation on Global and Regional Issues
The United States welcomes Vietnam’s active international integrationpolicy, and Vietnam welcomes the United States’ policy of enhancedcooperation with the Asia-Pacific region. Each country commends theother’s contribution to supporting peace, security, stability andprosperity in the region and the world over. The United States andVietnam are also committed to strengthening cooperation on regional andglobal issues of mutual interest and concern.
Thetwo countries are committed to promoting cooperation on sustainabledevelopment, addressing traditional and non-traditional securitythreats, including natural disasters, wildlife trafficking, watersecurity, and pandemics. The two countries are committed to expandingcollaboration on peacekeeping operations and climate change and lookforward to the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit and to concrete nationalactions to promote nuclear security. The two countries pledge to expandcooperation on the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), includingtoward achieving the GHSA targets as soon as possible.
The United States and Vietnam are committed to enhancing cooperationin regional fora, such as the Asia – Pacific Economic Cooperation forum,Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, LowerMekong Initiative, and the East Asia Summit, and recognize theimportance of a united and strong ASEAN, ASEAN’s central role in theregional political and security architecture, and the United States –ASEAN Strategic Partnership.
Both countries areconcerned about recent developments in the South China Sea that haveincreased tensions, eroded trust, and threatened to undermine peace,security, and stability. They recognize the imperative of upholding theinternationally-recognized freedoms of navigation and overflight;unimpeded lawful commerce, maritime security and safety; refraining fromactions that raise tensions; ensuring that all actions and activitiestakencomply with international law; and rejecting coercion,intimidation, and the use or threat of force. Both countries support thepeaceful resolution of disputes in conformity with international law,including as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law ofthe Sea of 10 December 1982 (UNCLOS), and recognize the importance offully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in theSouth China Sea in its entirety, as well as efforts to conclude the Codeof Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Agreements and Arrangements Reached
The following agreements and arrangements foster development of UnitedStates – Vietnam bilateral relations and form the firm foundation uponwhich both countries’ future cooperation will continue to build, suchas:
- The Agreement between theGovernment of Vietnam and the government of the U.S. for the avoidanceof double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect totaxes on income (DTA) and the Protocol to the DTA;
-The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of NationalDefence of Vietnam and the Department of Defense of the United States onUnited Nations peacekeeping cooperation;
- TheMemorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development of Vietnam and the United States Agency forInternational Development regarding the Emerging Pandemic ThreatsProgram and the Global Health Security Agenda;
-The Grant Agreement between the United States Trade and DevelopmentAgency and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam; and
- Vietnam’s granting of the license for the new Fulbright University Vietnam.”-VNA
