The agreement was reached during talks between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Hanoi on July 22.

They shared the view that since the two countries normalised diplomatic relations in 1995, bilateral relations have fared well toward developing a friendly, constructive, and multi-faceted cooperative partnership on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit.

Mr Khiem affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of working to strengthen bilateral ties with the US. He emphasised that the development in bilateral relations will help boost cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

He thanked the US government for supporting Vietnam’s social development projects and called for more assistance in the future.

Mr Khiem proposed that the US early recognise Vietnam’s market economy status, grant the generalised system of preferences (GSP) to the country, and not create trade barriers, anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures for Vietnamese exports.  

He also proposed that the US increase its budget for cleaning up Agent Orange-contaminated areas and supporting the victims in Vietnam.

Ms Clinton said she was delighted to be in Hanoi and gave assurances of the Obama administration’s desire to strengthen its relationship with Vietnam. She praised Vietnam’s dynamic development and its increasing role in consolidating the ASEAN bloc.

The US Secretary of State lauded Vietnam’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2010, saying the country has fostered ASEAN cooperation and relationship with international partners like the US. She voiced support for Vietnam’s joining the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement initiated by the US.

After talks, the two diplomats attended a ceremony to mark the 15th anniversary of the normalization of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations.

In his speech, Mr Khiem noted that both countries are breaking with the past and building a brighter future in bilateral ties. He said apart from politics, Vietnam and the US have potential for increasing cooperation in science and technology, culture, education, and national security and defence.

Later Ms Clinton witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the US’s continued funding for an HIV/AIDS project in Vietnam.

Ms Clinton is in Hanoi to attend ASEAN-related meetings.