The PM made the statement in the afternoon of June 23 (Washington hour) in his cordial meeting with the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy to the US and Vietnamese people settling in Washington DC.

After briefing the achievements gained during the past 20 years of renovation as well as the struggle against inflation and temporary economic difficulties, PM Dũng appreciated the overseas Vietnamese’s contributions to the advancement of the constructive, friendly, multi-faceted cooperation of equality, mutual respect and benefit between the US and Việt Nam.

Affirming his visit’s targets of cementing and deepening the friendship, cooperation and partnership between the two countries, the PM stressed that, the Party and State always consider overseas Vietnamese “an indispensable part and a great strength of the Vietnamese nation, playing an important role in consolidating and strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Việt Nam and other countries”. He went on to reveal that competent ministries and agencies are revising and drafting more policies to encourage overseas Vietnamese to visit the fatherland, do business, purchase and own houses in Việt Nam. “The Government is drafting a policy on double citizenship for overseas Vietnamese”, said the PM.

The Government chief also frankly pointed out that a part of overseas Vietnamese, for some reasons, is still bearing improper awareness, sentiments, and actions to the fatherland. He expressed his belief that those people would soon adopt sound views to the homeland. No Vietnamese could maintain complex and feud forever while his whole nation, fatherland and fellowmen have closed the past and joined hand in building a prosperous and powerful Việt Nam, said PM Dũng.

In the same afternoon, PM Dũng and his entourage attended the 4th meeting session of the Việt Nam-US Senior Advisory Council on Enhancement of Việt Nam’s Competitiveness. PM Dũng praised the Council’s efforts and contributions to developing the cooperation between the two countries, realizing the Bilateral Trade Agreement, approving the Permanent Normalized Trade Relations (PNTR) status, and supporting Việt Nam’s admission to WTO.

The PM highly spoke of the American Council members’ proposals concerning three fields : (1) Economic growth and inflation curbing; (2) Infrastructure development; and (3) Financial development. He acknowledged the Council’s contributions to Việt Nam’s socio-economic development through successfully implementing many investment programs and projects as well as introducing new ones . Vi ệt Nam always offers best conditions to foreign investors, confirmed PM Dũng.

By Xuân Hồng