Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan paid a visit to the US from Nov. 7-9 to seek ways to boost bilateral cooperation in education-training and response to climate change. Nhan, who doubles as Minister of Education and Training, met with Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and leaders of the Departments of State and the Interior, and almost 30 local companies. During the meetings, Nhan and the US officials discussed bilateral as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern, noting that the Vietnam-US relationship has seen progress in many fields. Both sides were optimistic about the prospects for cooperative ties between the two nations, especially in coping with climate change and rising sea level, tertiary education, investment and trade, for the sake of peace, stability and development in Southeast Asia and the Asia – Pacific region. Deputy PM Nhan briefed his hosts on Vietnam ’s socio-economic situation and the measures being taken by the government to resolve difficulties resulting from the global financial crisis, so as to stimulate the economy and ensure a steady and higher growth rate in the years to come. He thanked Senator John Kerry and leaders of the Departments of State and the Interior for their contributions to enhancing bilateral relations, including cooperation in education, training and environmental protection. The deputy PM proposed the Department of State continue supporting and prompting concerned US agencies to implement the Mekong sub-region cooperation initiative and step up cooperation in education and training. Nhan urged the Department of the Interior and other relevant agencies of the US to back research activities in a bid to effectively respond to impacts of climate change. He also requested the US side to take stronger actions to tackle the consequences of the war, including provision of assistance to Agent Orange/dioxin victims and raising budget for projects designed to detoxify the environment in Vietnam . Senator Kerry and leaders of the Department of State said the US wishes to develop its stable and durable relationship with Vietnam . They applauded Vietnam ’s role as the ASEAN president in 2010, and emphasised their desire to beef up bilateral collaboration in many areas. The US officials thanked Vietnam for its effective coordination in the missing in action (MIA) issue, and affirmed that the US will provide more humanitarian aid to the Southeast Asian country through mine clearance projects, the provision of information about Vietnamese persons who were reported missing during the war, and the handling of AO/dioxin consequences. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith A. McHale acclaimed the two nations’ building and approval of the education task group’s reports, including directions and measures to elevate education ties as agreed upon by senior leaders during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to the US in June 2008. The Department of the Interior expected that the US and Vietnam will beef up cooperative relations in the Mekong sub-region and coping with climate change and rising sea level, and suggested the signing of a memorandum of understanding in this field. At the round-table talks with representatives from nearly 30 major US firms, Deputy PM Nhan called on US businesses to make long-term investment in Vietnam , particularly in the areas of IT and education and training. While in the US , Nhan also had a working session with the World Bank’s Managing Director Juan Jose Daboub, during which he spoke of Vietnam ’s socio-economic development as well as reforms in the education system. The deputy PM requested the WB to continue aiding Vietnam and give financial support for the establishment of international standard universities in the country./.