The US President was speaking to Vietnamese and international reporters at a press briefing which came on the heels of talks between himself and visiting Vietnamese Sate President Nguyen Minh Triet in Washington D.C, on June 22 (local time).

The US leader also touched on other areas of greater cooperation that have been occurring between the two sides such as Viet Nam's help in searching for and returning the remains of US troops missing in action from the Viet Nam War. "Last year, I myself witnessed the active cooperation of Viet Nam in this field," he said.

He added that the US Congress recently approved a bill to aid Viet Nam in resolving problems relating to Agent Orange/dioxin contamination that lingers in the country and provide further support for the Southeast Asian country's fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Vietnamese President told the attending media that he and President Bush had a very constructive discussion with both leaders recognising the importance of vastly improved relations that are now the bedrock that will usher in new era of development.

He stressed that trade and economic ties between Viet Nam and the US have developed dynamically as has cooperation in the fields of science and technology, education and humanitarian issues.

The Vietnamese state leader again thanked US lawmakers for their assistance in aid programmes for Viet Nam, particularly those relating to HIV/AIDS and Agent Orange/dioxin while stating that the new diplomatic and economic arena that the two countries now share would prove beneficial for both countries and the greater Asia-Pacific region at large.

Regarding differences between the two countries, President Triet said the two leaders were of the same opinion that Viet Nam and the US need to ratchet up dialogue for a greater understanding of each other while remaining adamant that he and President Bush are determined to not let these differences negatively impact their partnership.

He said: "Viet Nam is a country of stability, peace and friendship and the Vietnamese people want to befriend Americans. The two nations desire peace, friendship and partnerships, let’s walk together towards the future."
The Vietnamese leader concluded by extending a greeting to overseas Vietnamese that reside in the US and hoped that they would serve as a bridge in fortifying the burgeoning friendship between Viet Nam and the US.(TTXVN)