Deputy PM ends three-day US visit

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/politics/200911/Deputy-PM-ends-threeday-US-visit-878421/

12/11/2009 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan paid a three-day visit to the US beginning Saturday to boost bilateral co-operation in education and training and in tackling climate change.

Nhan, who is also Minister of Education and Training, met Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and leaders of the departments of state and the interior, as well as representatives from 30 US companies.

Nhan and the US officials discussed bilateral as well as regional and international issues.

Both sides expressed optimism about attempts by the two nations to tackle climate change and rising sea levels, as well as tertiary education, investment and trade in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

The deputy PM asked the state department to continue supporting the Mekong sub-region co-operation initiative and development of education and training in the country.

Nhan urged the Department of the Interior and other relevant agencies to back research on climate change.

He also requested that the US side do more to deal with the consequences of the war, such as assistance to Agent Orange/dioxin victims and detoxicating the environment in Viet Nam.

Kerry and leaders of the Department of State said the US wished to develop stable and durable relationship with Viet Nam and emphasised their desire to beef-up bilateral collaboration.

The US officials thanked Viet Nam for its support with finding US missing-in-action personnel, and affirmed that the US would provide more humanitarian aid to the country with mine clearance. They also said assistance would be given in dealing with the consequences of AO/dioxin and in providing information about Vietnamese persons who were reported missing during the war.

While meeting business representatives, Nhan called on US firms to consider making long-term investments in Viet Nam, particularly in the areas of IT and education and training.

While in the US, Nhan also met World Bank managing director Juan Jose Daboub. He spoke of Viet Nam's socio-economic development and educational reforms.

He asked the bank to continue giving financial support to Viet Nam and assistance for the establishment of international-standard universities.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News