Vietnam, Russia examine ways to bolster cooperation

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (R) welcomes his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Dmitry Medvedev welcomed PM Phuc’s official visit and affirmed his nation’s desire to foster the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. In reply, PM Phuc reiterated that Vietnam always greatly values traditional cooperation and friendship with Russia.

The two PMs described the organization of the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam in 2019 and 2020 as major events in bilateral ties, thereby contributing to the time-honoured friendship, and fresh impetus for their stronger cooperation in the future.

They also highlighted constantly strengthened political relations based on regular exchange visits and meetings at all levels and through all channels and held that Vietnam-Russia trade and investment have progressed with bilateral trade reaching US$4.57 billion in 2018, up US$ 28.6 year-on-year as a result of the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union that became effective in 2016.

The leaders pledged their sustained efforts to provide the best possible conditions for their businesses and goods to gain entry into enter each other’s markets so as to take full advantage of their trade partnership potential. Energy is one of the most important pillars of Vietnam-Russia cooperation, they emphasized while agreeing to augment businesses’ cooperation in oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Vietnam’s continental shelf and Russia’s territory.

They shared the view that despite having many projects proposed and implemented, both sides boast huge potential for broader investment partnership. They appreciated Vietnamese and Russian businesses’ attention to collaboration in developing urban transport and railway infrastructure in Vietnam.

The pair also consented to speed up the construction of a research centre for nuclear science and technology in the Southeast Asian nation and expressed their appreciation for fruitful cooperation in defence-security, which they, said has helped consolidate strategic mutual trust between the two nations.

They consented to expand ties in other potential fields such as science-technology, education-training, culture, sports, and tourism.

They also voiced their support for direct relations between Vietnamese and Russian localities and worked out measures to beef up labour cooperation – a potential area that matches demand on both sides.

The Vietnamese Government leader thanked Russian leaders and relevant agencies for offering creating conditions for Vietnamese people to live, do business, and study in the country.

During the talks, host and guest also compared notes on a host of international and regional issues of shared concern, including the maintenance of peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in Asia-Pacific, including the East Sea.

Vietnam hailed Russia’s role as a powerful nation and hopes that it will continue helping ensure regional and global peace, security, and stability.

On the occasion, PM Phuc invited his counterpart to visit Vietnam in the near future and his invitation was graciously accepted.

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation documents on nuclear energy, oil and gas, construction, tourism, justice, and locality-to-locality relations.