Vietnam, US Expect Bilateral Maritime Agreement

Vietnam, US Expect Bilateral Maritime Agreement

Delegations of Vietnamese and US governments met last week to discuss the potential of a bilateral maritime agreement, said a source from the US Embassy in Vietnam. 

The discussions, which took place from March 22-24, mentioned the two countries’ benefits from nurturing potential maritime relations.

The two delegations considered the form and scale of a bilateral maritime agreement.

They also put on the table the promotion of trade as well as cooperative opportunities in other spheres such as training and education.

Since the Vietnam War ended 30 years ago, only two US vessels have arrived in the Southeast Asian country. The first, the US Vandergrift, led by Lt. Col Richard Rogers, sailed up the Saigon River during a four-day voyage to Ho Chi Minh City in November 2003 and another the USS Curtis Wilbur, a guided missile destroyer in the U.S. Pacific Fleet based in Yokosuka docked at the central port of Danang last July.

Last year saw new signs of rapid development in the relationship between Vietnam and the US. The two countries organized a series of multi-level visits to strengthen relations and mutual benefits in the year.

Milestone events in the relations between the two countries last year included the US Congress decision to form the US-Vietnam Congressional Caucus, the launching of direct commercial air services between Ho Chi Minh City and San Francisco, and the US warship docking at the port of Danang last July.

2004 also saw a large number of official visits to Vietnam by high-ranking officials from Texas and the state of Washington to boost trade and business opportunities.

Law, Thanhniennews.com