WASHINGTON, June 22, 2005—U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Vietnam's Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat met yesterday to sign a memorandum of agreement on cooperation in agriculture and related fields.

"This memorandum of agreement will help to strengthen the cooperative relationship between the United States and Vietnam in the areas of research, extension and training," said Johanns. "In addition to facilitating information exchanges on agricultural production and trade, this agreement marks the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries."

Johanns welcomed his Vietnamese counterpart Minister Phat to USDA to sign the agreement and discuss the strengthening of agricultural and trade ties between the U.S. and Vietnam. Minister Phat is traveling with Prime Minister Phan Van Khai—the first prime minister to visit the United States since 1975, who met with President Bush on Monday.

Since normalization of relations between the U.S. and Vietnam, 10 years ago today, USDA and Vietnam's Agriculture Ministry have worked together on many projects, including joint research and agricultural training in animal health inspection, soy meal purchasing and cotton classification.

Over the past decade, USDA has provided agricultural training under the Cochran Fellowship Program to more than 200 Vietnamese from the public and private sectors and has supported joint research projects under the Scientific Cooperation Research Program.

This year, 10 Vietnamese scientists and veterinarians are expected to come to the United States under the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Program. These individuals will work at universities and research institutions on scientific projects related to the surveillance and control of Avian Influenza.

This technical assistance and trade-capacity building will help Vietnam promote food security and create economic growth, leading to a more competitive agricultural sector. Since 2001, when the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement went into effect, two-way trade has more than doubled to $482 million in fiscal 2004. In addition, the possible entry of Vietnam into the World Trade Organization could create new opportunities in the trade arena for both countries.

For more information about the Cochran Fellowship Program, the Scientific Cooperation Research Program and the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Program, go to www.fas.usda.gov

#

USDA Release No. 0224.05
FAS PR 0084-05
USDA Contact: Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623
FAS Contact: Linda Habenstreit (202) 720-9442