The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
July 25, 2013
President Barack Obama welcomed
President Truong Tan Sang of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the White
House on July 25, 2013. During their meeting, the two Presidents affirmed
their commitment to opening a new phase of bilateral relations between Vietnam
and the United States based on mutual respect and common interests.
President Truong Tan Sang’s visit comes at an important time for both nations,
reflecting a shared desire to build a forward-looking relationship between the
two countries.
President Obama and President
Truong Tan Sang decided to form a U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership to
provide an overarching framework for advancing the relationship. They underlined
the principles of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, including respect
for the United Nations Charter, international law, and each other’s political
systems, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. They
stated that the Comprehensive Partnership is intended to contribute to peace,
stability, cooperation, and prosperity in each country, in the region, and in
the world. The new Comprehensive Partnership will create mechanisms for
cooperation in areas including political and diplomatic relations, trade and
economic ties, science and technology, education and training, environment and
health, war legacy issues, defense and security, protection and promotion of
human rights, and culture, sports, and tourism.
Political and Diplomatic Cooperation
As part of the U.S.-Vietnam
Comprehensive Partnership, the two sides agreed to increase high level
exchanges as well as contacts at all levels, and to intensify dialogue and
cooperation mechanisms. President Obama affirmed the United States’
support for Vietnam’s independence, sovereignty, prosperity, and integration
into the international community. President Truong Tan Sang welcomed the
United States’ enhanced cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, which contributes to
the peace, stability, and prosperity of the region.
The Presidents welcomed the
establishment of a regular dialogue between their two foreign ministers, and
encouraged dialogues and exchanges between entities associated with political
parties in both countries.
President Obama and President
Truong Tan Sang agreed to enhance cooperation at regional and international
forums including The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the East
Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting Plus (ADMM+) to
support peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the Asia-Pacific
region. The two Leaders reaffirmed their support for the settlement of
disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including as
reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea . The
Presidents also reaffirmed their support for the principle of non-use of force
or threat-of-force in resolving territorial and maritime disputes. The
Presidents underscored the value of full observance of the Declaration of
Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the importance of launching
negotiations to conclude an effective Code of Conduct (COC).
President Truong Tan Sang
expressed his appreciation for the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI). The two
Presidents agreed that the two sides would work together with other member
countries and the Friends of the Lower Mekong to further strengthen regional
cooperation to promote prosperity and sustainable development, narrow the
development gap, enhance connectivity, and respond to transnational challenges
in the region.
The two Presidents instructed
relevant agencies to conclude as soon as possible a bilateral agreement on the
construction of new embassies and missions. The Leaders affirmed that the
United States’ and Vietnam’s diplomatic presence in their respective capitals
should reflect the development of their bilateral ties.
Trade and Economic Ties
Recalling their discussions in
Cambodia in November 2012, President Obama and President Truong Tan Sang
reaffirmed their commitment to conclude a comprehensive, high-standard
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement as soon as possible this year.
A 21st-century TPP agreement will advance regional economic
integration, further development objectives, and lead to the creation of jobs
in the United States, Vietnam, and all TPP countries, while taking into account
the diversity of the participants’ levels of development in the context of a
comprehensive and balanced package.
The Presidents welcomed
continued efforts to further bilateral economic, commercial, and investment
ties, and President Obama noted Vietnam’s reform efforts as a developing
economy. They underlined the critical value of these efforts to advancing
the bilateral relationship, and the importance of economic cooperation as a
foundation and engine for the new U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership.
The Presidents agreed to enhance cooperation under the U.S.-Vietnam Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council as well as under the ASEAN
Enhanced Economic Engagement initiative and in APEC to increase economic and
trade engagement in line with the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership and
shared objectives in the World Trade Organization (WTO), APEC, and ASEAN
fora. President Obama applauded Vietnam’s progress in economic reform
President Obama noted Vietnam’s interest in pursuing market economy country
status and is committed to intensifying the United States’ constructive engagement
with Vietnam on its economic reforms. The Presidents acknowledged
Vietnam’s intention to accede to the Cape Town Convention on International
Interests in Mobile Equipment (CTC).
Both Presidents noted the
importance of growing commercial ties between the two economies, and made
special mention of: the MOU signed between PetroVietnam and U.S. Export-Import
Bank to support trade and investment in the petroleum and energy sectors in
Vietnam; the Framework Heads Agreement on the Ca Voi Xanh offshore Vietnam
development project between Exxon Mobil Corporation and PetroVietnam; the
Cooperation Agreement between Murphy Oil Corporation and PetroVietnam
Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP); an MOU between Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company (MetLife) and Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam
(BIDV); and the Vietnam Ministry of Finance's approval in principle for
establishment of a fund management company by ACE Insurance. The
Presidents welcomed U.S. Department of Agriculture support for capacity building
and training programs designed to help Vietnam adopt and apply sound science
and technology to the benefit of Vietnamese farmers, agricultural companies,
and consumers. The two leaders recognized the importance of protecting
the most vulnerable populations while pursuing economic development, including
working together to combat child and forced labor.
Science and Technology Cooperation
President Obama and President
Truong Tan Sang discussed the importance of scientific and technological
cooperation. They welcomed the 8th meeting of the Joint Committee for
Scientific and Technological Cooperation to be held this autumn, and
highlighted efforts to build ties between the scientific communities in the
United States and Vietnam to strengthen bilateral relations, respond to climate
change and other global challenges, and foster innovation-driven economic
growth. President Obama and President Truong Tan Sang reiterated their
intention to continue scientific cooperation, including in the areas of civil
nuclear energy, space technology, and maritime research. The Presidents
highlighted the successful conclusion of a joint effort to remove all highly
enriched uranium from Vietnam. The two leaders agreed to continue
cooperation to support Vietnam’s aspirations for a peaceful nuclear energy
program with the highest standards of safety, safeguards, and security.
Education Cooperation
The Presidents agreed on the
need to enhance educational, cultural, and people-to-people ties between the
United States and Vietnam. They remarked on the rapid growth of
Vietnamese students studying at U.S. universities and colleges, and expressed
hope that more U.S. students will pursue study abroad opportunities in
Vietnam. They agreed that close cooperation on education and training are
critical elements to the next phase of the relationship. They also noted
that robust English language instruction will help Vietnam compete in the 21st
century global economy. President Obama and President Truong Tan Sang
noted the success of bilateral education and exchange initiatives, especially
the Fulbright program and the Higher Engineering Education Alliance Program
(HEEAP). The two Presidents noted the success of the Fulbright Economics
Teaching Program and President Truong Tan Sang welcomed the initiative
establishing a Fulbright University in Vietnam.
Environment and Health
President Obama and President
Truong Tan Sang welcomed increasing bilateral cooperation to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions in Vietnam through promotion of clean energy, energy efficiency,
and sustainable forestry, and to strengthen Vietnam’s resilience to climate
change, rising sea level and natural disasters, including through the United
States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Clean Energy Program and
Forests and Deltas Program. President Obama reaffirmed the United States’
commitment to providing further medical and other care and assistance for
persons with disabilities, regardless of cause.
The two leaders also agreed to
work together, along with their LMI partners, to promote scientific research,
capacity-building, and dialogue to ensure the long-term health and
sustainability of the Mekong Delta and the Lower Mekong River Basin.
President Obama expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s leadership as the co-chair
of the LMI Environment and Water Pillar, which has included two joint research
proposals from Vietnam on water resources management in the basin. The
two leaders expressed satisfaction with the recent conclusion of the Agreement
on Healthcare and Medical Sciences Cooperation and looked forward to enhanced
public health cooperation to promote global health security. President
Truong Tan Sang expressed his appreciation for the U.S. government’s continued
support through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for
Vietnam’s efforts to build sustainable systems for HIV/AIDS prevention,
treatment, and care.
War Legacy Issues
The two Presidents agreed that
extensive cooperation in addressing war legacy issues to deepen mutual trust has
allowed both countries to develop a relationship that looks to the future.
President Obama expressed his appreciation for Vietnam’s continued
cooperation in providing for the fullest possible accounting for U.S. personnel
missing in action (MIA). President Obama reaffirmed the U.S. commitment
to assist Vietnam in its MIA accounting efforts. President Truong Tan
Sang noted the U.S. Government’s contributions to Vietnam’s efforts to clean up
unexploded ordnance (UXO), assist those injured by UXO, and prevent future
casualties. The Presidents expressed satisfaction with progress on USAID
and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense’s project to clean up dioxin
contamination at Danang International Airport. President Truong Tan Sang
welcomed plans by the U.S. Government to conduct an environmental assessment of
dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa Air Base.
Defense and Security
The two leaders agreed that the
United States and Vietnam would continue to cooperate on defense and
security. They expressed satisfaction with the Memorandum of
Understanding on Advancing Bilateral Defense Cooperation of 2011 and reaffirmed
their commitment to its full implementation. The Presidents agreed to
continue the U.S.-Vietnam Defense Policy Dialogue and the bilateral Political,
Security, and Defense dialogue as opportunities to review the defense and
security relationship and discuss future cooperation. The two Presidents
agreed to expand mutually beneficial cooperation to enhance capabilities such
as search and rescue and disaster response. The Presidents also
underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation in non-traditional security
matters and agreed to work more closely to counter terrorism; enhance maritime
law enforcement cooperation; combat transnational crime including piracy, and
narcotics, human, and wildlife trafficking; and address high-tech crime and
cyber security. President Obama welcomed Vietnam’s decision to
participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations and emphasized the United
States’ desire to assist with training and other support for this effort
through the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
The Presidents took note of the
benefits of a candid and open dialogue to enhance mutual understanding and
narrow differences on human rights. They emphasized the importance of
protection and promotion of human rights. President Truong Tan Sang
informed President Obama of Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in promoting
human rights and rule of law and in protecting the rights of religious
believers. President Truong Tan Sang also affirmed that Vietnam was
prepared to sign the United Nations Convention Against Torture by the end of
the year and stated that Vietnam would invite the Special Rapporteur on Freedom
of Religion or Belief in 2014. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to
uphold the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights.
Culture, Tourism and Sports
President Truong Tan Sang and
President Obama highlighted the importance of enhanced cooperation on culture,
sports and tourism to strengthening people-to-people exchange and mutual
understanding. They took note of the success of the Vietnamese-American
community in the United States and their important contributions to the growth
of bilateral ties. The two Presidents encouraged more people-to-people
exchange through art performances, concerts, exhibitions and other cultural and
sports events between the two countries.
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