Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, June 13 (VNA) -- Viet Nam always wants the Viet Nam-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) to be ratified soon and to come into effect as it will benefit both nations, said the Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh today, June 13.

Ms Thanh further said that the signing of the BTA was the result of joint efforts by both Viet Nam and the U.S., meeting both countries' interests.

In response to the Ha Noi-based AFP correspondent's question as to whether or note the Vietnamese National Assembly will ratify the BTA at its on-going session, Ms. Thanh said that Viet Nam is the currently making the necessary preparations to ratify the BTA if the U.S. Congress approves the agreement in July.

She added that Viet Nam's Trade Ministry has reported to the NA Standing Committee, NA deputies and other concerned NA Committees on the agreement. In that spirit, Viet Nam will soon consider ratifying the BTA, Thanh said.--VNA