Vietnam to promote relations with U.S.

HANOI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem said here on Wednesday that Vietnam expected to further deepen the bilateral relation with the United States, especially in trade, investment and education.

Khiem made the remarks while receiving former U.S. trade representative Susan Schwab who is on a working visit to Vietnam from Dec. 1 to 3.

Khiem said that the bilateral trade between the two countries will witness a rapid growth once the two sides reach the investment protection agreement in the coming time.

Khiem asked Susan Schwab to call on the Obama administration to soon recognize Vietnam as a market economy, paving the way for stronger trade between the two countries.

Vietnam expected U.S. universities to establish more education bases in the country, said Khiem.

Former U.S. trade representative Susan Schwab spoke highly of achievements of Vietnam in all fields, especially trade and investment and poverty reduction.

Susan Schwab expressed her hope that the two sides will continue their efforts to cultivate the bilateral ties.

The United States will further boost cooperation with Vietnam in education and training on human resources management, public purchasing, said Susan Schwab.

The United States has become one of the three biggest export markets for Vietnam. In the first 11 months this year, the United States continues to be the biggest foreign investor of Vietnam with the registered capital of 8.1 billion U.S. dollars, according to Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment.