PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng made the emphasis while receiving the leaving US Ambassador Michael W. Marine in the afternoon of August 3 in Hà Nội.

The Government chief stated that the guest's performance has considerably contributed to the strengthened bilateral cooperation and to the successful visits of senior leaders of the two countries over the past time.

Ambassador Michael W. Marine asserted that the Việt Nam-US cooperation is strongly developing. After the negotiation on the bilateral trade agreement was kicked off, the US has become a major partner of Việt Nam in the process of economic development.

The Ambassador was pleased at positive methods taken by the two sides to build up a good relationship under which Việt Nam has provided favorable conditions for foreign and American businesses to enter and operate in the country.

During his 3-year ambassadorship in Việt Nam, Mr. Michael W. Marine played an important role in increasing non-refundable aid to Việt Nam from US$ 15 million to over US$ 90 million in order to realize some projects on HIV/AIDS control, bird flu prevention and environmental improvement in Agent Orange-contaminated areas.

Ambassador W. Marine expressed his desire that the US and Việt Nam will continue their close cooperation in trade, aviation, national security, and HIV/AIDS control.

PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng highly applauded the US Government's aid programs and confirmed that Việt Nam will do its utmost to promote the good bilateral ties by bringing into play similarities and finding out proper solutions for differences and difficulties.

By Xuân Hồng