Fri, Dec 05, 2003
First (Ever) Such Agreement Between the Two Countries
As part of the continuing effort to
strengthen US-Vietnam relations, ease travel and expand trade
between the two countries, US Transportation Secretary Norman Y.
Mineta and Vietnamese Transport Minister Dao Dinh Binh today signed
the first-ever comprehensive US-Vietnam air services agreement.
"Since our two countries signed a bilateral trade agreement late
last year, our economic ties have become stronger," said Secretary
Mineta. "Last year, the United States and Vietnam engaged in almost
$3 billion in direct trade. Today's agreement solidifies that
partnership and lays the groundwork for even greater growth and
success in our economic relationship."
The Secretary added that the agreement also will make it easier
to travel between the two countries, helping to reunite families
and further strengthening human ties between the two nations.
Today's historic agreement allows the airlines of both countries
to provide US-Vietnam air service with their own aircraft as well
as unlimited code sharing. It contains some restrictions on air
services, and will remain in effect for five years. The two sides
agreed to meet within four years to consider a further expansion of
air service opportunities, at which time the United States will
seek a fully liberalized Open-Skies agreement.
The agreement's text was initialed on Oct. 9 after several
rounds of discussions. The two sides had first expressed interest
in concluding an air transport agreement shortly after the lifting
of the US economic embargo on Vietnam in 1994.
Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, Vietnamese Ambassador
to the United States Nguyen Tam Chien, US Ambassador to Vietnam
Raymond Burghardt and US industry representatives also attended
today's ceremony in Washington, DC.
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