US Expects Long-Term Relationship With Vietnam
Congressman Paul Gillmor, left, and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An
The United States wishes to maintain a positive long-term relationship with Vietnam, a US Congressman said Tuesday, expressing his hope that the two sides will soon come to an agreement on Vietnam's WTO entry.
Paul Gillmor, chairman of the Subcommittee in Environment and Hazardous Materials under the House's Energy and Commerce Committee, is leading a delegation of seven US congressmen on a three-day visit to Vietnam.
At a reception thrown by Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An, Gillmor said the US wished to develop relations with Vietnam not only in business and trade but also in many other fields.
He said the two countries ongoing bilateral negotiations on Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) were very important for both countries.
Gillmor expressed his appreciation of the positive results in the relationship between Vietnam and the US during their 10 years of diplomatic ties and five years of implementation of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
The US delegation also expressed their thanks to the Vietnamese government and people's support to find US soldiers' remains from the war and help Hurricane Katrina victims.
For his part, NA Chairman An spoke highly of the US Congressmen’s goodwill visit, which he said would contribute to promoting the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The Vietnamese leader expressed his hope that President George W. Bush’s visit to Vietnam and attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Hanoi in 2006 will be a milestone in the development of the two countries’ relations.
He called the two countries to exchange more visits at all levels in order to boost mutual understanding and trust.
Earlier the same day, a Vietnamese NA delegation headed by Vu Mao, Chairman of the NA Committee for External Relations, held talks with the US Congressmen.
The two sides exchanged views on many important issues related to Vietnam-US relations.
The US delegation also met with Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, who said he hoped the visit would open a good year for Vietnam-US relations.
Khoan also said Vietnam placed great importance on relationship with the US.
Source: Vietnam News Agency
