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REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
U.S.-VIETNAM AVIATION AGREEMENT SIGNING CEREMONY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
DECEMBER 4, 2003
2:30 PM
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, Minister Dao Dinh Binh, Ambassador Nguyen
Tam Chien)], and the entire Vietnamese delegation, welcome to the United States,
and to Washington, DC.
I would also like to welcome Ambassador Raymond Burghardt, the business and
community leaders, and the media who are here with us.
The Air Transport Agreement we are signing today opens up an historic new era of
trade and partnership between our two Nations. By creating the framework for
commercial air services, the Agreement builds another important bridge between
our countries.
Mr. Minister, we would be honored, if you would share your thoughts with us
regarding this moment.
[Minister Binh delivered remarks.]
Thank you, Minister Binh, for those kind words.
This is, indeed, a very important step in our journey of trade and partnership.
The progress that has occurred in our relationship over the past five years is
impressive. In November 2000, I visited Vietnam as Secretary of Commerce. At
that time, U.S.-Vietnam bilateral trade amounted to $1.2 billion per year.
Since the bilateral trade agreement between our two countries took effect in
December 2001, our economic ties have become stronger. The United States and
Vietnam engaged in almost $3 billion in direct trade in the past year.
Today’s Air Transport Agreement solidifies that partnership and lays the
groundwork for even greater growth and success in our economic relationship.
Travelers and shippers in both of our countries will now have more freedom and
choice as we eliminate restrictions on how often carriers can fly between our
two countries, the kind of aircraft that they can use, and the prices that they
can charge.
These freedoms will undoubtedly stimulate U.S.-Vietnamese tourism, business
travel, and trade. But the historic agreement that we are signing today has
import beyond the economic impact on our two countries.
This is also an agreement with a profound cultural impact. It is about
re-establishing and reaffirming connections between the people of our two
countries.
It will make it easier for people from Vietnam to visit America, for people from
America to visit Vietnam, and for families divided by an ocean to be reunited.
In so doing, it will – I am confident – strengthen the bonds that tie our
nations together.
Thank you, Minister Binh, for your leadership in making this agreement a
reality. I look forward to our countries’ continued cooperative relationship on
transportation issues, and to seeing these new air services prosper, and our
relationship grow.
Now, will you please join me in signing the agreements?
[Agreements signed.]
Thank you, again, Deputy Prime Minister Khoan, Minister Binh, Ambassador Chien,
and your entire delegation, for joining us here today to sign this important
agreement.
[Pause for Minister Binh’s thank you. Ceremony ends.]
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