Vietnam, Russia seek ways to bolster partnership

PM Phuc affirmed Vietnam's consistent policy of treasuring and prioritising its traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

PM Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia considers Vietnam as one of its most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two leaders shared their delight at the strong political trust between Vietnam and Russia, with regular meetings and delegation exchanges at all levels, especially those of a high level.

They agreed to coordinate closely in organising the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam in 2019 and 2020, on the occasion of 25 years since the signing of the Agreement on Basic Principles for Vietnam-Russia Friendship and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.

The two PMs hailed the outcomes of the 21st meeting of the Vietnam-Russia Inter-Governmental Committee on economic-trade and science-technology cooperation in Moscow in late October 2018.

They held that the economic, trade, and investment partnership between the two countries has grown dynamically over the past years, along with the effective implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union.

To bring into full play benefits brought by the agreement, both sides promised to coordinate and gradually address barriers on the import and export of goods, especially agro-fishery-forestry products, with the aim to raise two-way trade to USD10 billion by 2020.

The PMs conveyed satisfaction with the results of oil and gas cooperation, considering it one of the important pillars in Vietnam-Russia collaboration. They vowed to continue facilitating oil and gas exploration and exploitation on Vietnam's continental shelf and Russia's territory, and encouraged the expansion of cooperation in other fields such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas power supply.

Both agreed to step up large-scale projects in the fields of energy, industry, transport, agriculture, and expand collaboration in information, digital technology, and e-Government.

They affirmed their commitment to carrying out a USD350 million-Nuclear Science and Technology Centre, while encouraging cooperation to develop urban transport infrastructure and railways in Vietnam.

The two leaders reached a consensus on the importance of security and defence cooperation; on the intensifying of collaboration in the fields of science-technology, culture, tourism, education-training, and labour; as well as on the advancement of partnerships between their localities.

PM Phuc took the occasion to thank Russian leaders and authorised offices for helping the Vietnamese community in the country, hoping for their continued support.

The PMs also exchanged views on different regional and international issues of mutual concern and stressed the need to maintain peace and stability. This involves ensuring aviation and navigation security, safety, and freedom in the East Sea towards solving disputes peacefully on the basis of respecting international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and working towards the early signing of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Both sides affirmed to maintain coordination at multilateral forums, foster cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Asia-Europe Meeting, and the ASEAN-Russia cooperation, for the interests of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

They expressed their belief that the outcomes of the visit will contribute to boosting the bilateral relations in all fields.

PM Medvedev took the occasion to invite PM Phuc to visit Russia in the coming time. The Vietnamese leader accepted the invitation with pleasure.

(Source: CPV/VNA)