Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiemand US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reached consensus on theissue during their talks in Hanoi on July 22.
Khiem applauded Clinton ’s visit to Vietnam and her attendance atASEAN-related meetings, reflecting the US ’s desire to strengthenrelations with the bloc in general and Vietnam in particular.
Both ministers noted with pleasure that the bilateral relationship hasreaped significant achievements over the past 15 years on the basis ofmutual respect, equality and reciprocal benefit, bringing great benefitsto the two countries’ people and contributing to peace, security,stability and development in the Asia-Pacific.
They agreed to build a model partnership in response to climate change and rising sea levels.
Khiem requested the US government not apply trade barriers or“anti-dumping” and “anti-subsidy” duties on Vietnamese exports. He alsocalled on the US to recognise Vietnam ’s market economy and grantthe Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) status to the country.
The official urged the US to increase its funding to detoxify theenvironment and support Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam .
Khiem and Clinton also discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Following the talks, the two ministers attended a ceremony celebratingthe 15 th anniversary of normalisation of diplomatic ties betweenVietnam and the US .
The event was co-hosted bythe Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the AmericanChamber of Commerce (AmCham).
Later in the day,Vietnamese Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong and US Secretary ofState Hillary Clinton signed an inter-governmental framework agreementon cooperation in HIV/AIDS prevention and control./.