Vietnam, Russia to sign free-trade agreement

At the top of the list of measures announced by the leaders is the signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. In other measures they agreed to bolster co-operation in energy, science, technology, and education.

Deputy PM Nhan and his Russian host concurred in increasing Russian scholarships for Vietnam, stepping up the establishment of a Vietnam - Russia Technology University, building a nuclear science and technology centre in Vietnam, and promoting the teaching of Russian language and literature in Vietnam educational institutions.

They also agreed to create all possible conditions for the two countries' ministries, sectors, academies and research institutes to establish and expand co-operation.

The two sides hailed the contribution of the Vietnamese community in Russia and the Russian community in Vietnam to both countries' traditional relations while pledging favourable conditions for their living, studying and working in line with each country's laws.

Earlier on the same day, Deputy PM Nhan met with First Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma Ivan Melnikov.

He said that besides traditional fields, Vietnam and Russia can broaden their ties in economics, banking, agriculture, transport, energy, sea-based economy and others.

Particularly, the construction of joint universities and research centres are opening up good prospects, bringing education - training into a field of their strategic co-operation.

The Vietnam guest also asked the First Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma in his capacity to support the co-operative ties between the two legislative bodies.

For his part, Melnikov reiterated that the Russia parliament is going to back Vietnam's proposals to further co-operation in education - training, the establishment of joint research and education - training institutes, while considering an agreement on the travel of individuals as well as military technical co-operation.

He also asked the two legislative bodies to increase exchanges, and enhance co-operation between localities and young generations, as well as that in tourism and culture.

(Source: nhandannewspaperonline)