Vietnam, Russia solidify comprehensive strategic partnership

Both nations have affirmed their resolve to carry out the consistent policies of strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership in the two peoples’ long-term interests and step up combined efforts to augment bilateral cooperation in various fields.

The affirmation was made at talks in Hanoi on April 6 between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

PM Dung highlighted the Russian government delegation’s visit as a historic event of great significance when both nations are celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He expressed the conviction that the visit will add fresh impetus to consolidating and developing the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two PMs informed each other about the political and socio-economic situation and external policy in their respective country and compared notes on international and regional issues of shared concern.

On political relations, they underlined the need to maintain all-level delegation exchanges, diversify cooperation channels and offer mutual support at international forums.

The pair reviewed the implementation of key cooperation projects on investment, trade, oil & gas, nuclear power and military technology, and suggested accelerating the official signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union by the first half of this year aiming to elevate bilateral trade volume to US$10 billion by 2020.

Bilateral investment is still far from matching the two nations’ full potential, both PMs noted, adding that the high-level joint working group on the Vietnam-Russia priotized investment projects headed by the two Ministers of industry and Trade should play a crucial role in identifying investment areas and effectively implement select projects.

They praised ministries, sectors and relevant agencies for bolstering cooperation in oil & gas, nuclear power, mining industry and agriculture, and proposed speeding up the implementation of the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant project.

They hailed bilateral defence-security relations, especially in military technology and personnel training, pledging to work towards closer and more effective collaboration in this field.

Both sides agreed to work out a plan to set up a seafood and wood processing joint venture firm in the Far East region of Russia and expand bilateral affiliation in science-technology, education-training, culture and tourism with a view to deepening all-sided cooperation between Vietnam and Russia.

They held that all disputes in the East Sea should be handled peacefully according to international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Constitution on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

PM Dung thanked Russian administration and authorities for facilitating the Vietnamese community’s living conditions and believed that the community would continue to serve as a bridge for the promotion of the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

On the eve, PM Dmitry Medvedev invited Dung to visit Russia and his invitation was accepted with great pleasure. The date for the trip will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

After their talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of cooperation documents on energy, investment, banking and transport.

At a reception for the Russian Prime Minister on the same day, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung expressed his belief that the visit would contribute to fostering the trusted strategic partnership between the two countries.

Vietnam never forget the valuable assistance of Russia and treasures their bilateral ties, he told his guest.

He also reiterated Vietnam's strong support for agreements between the two governments,saying that the NA will intensify its monitoring to ensure effective implementation of the agreements between the two countries.

PM Medvedev in turn applauded Vietnam’s tremendous achievements over recent years, expressing his hope that the bilateral ties will continue to grow in the time ahead.

The Russian Government and parliament will back and cooperate with Vietnam at international and regional forums, he said.

He also called for closer cooperation between two countries, people-to-people exchanges as well as enhanced connection between businesses to expand trade links between Russia and Vietnam.

Party, State leaders welcome Russian PM

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong pushed for the early signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union while meeting with Russian Prime Minister and President of the ruling United Russia Party Dmitry Medvedev in Hanoi on April 6.

The Party chief hailed the visit on the heels of the 65 th anniversary of diplomatic ties, assuring Medvedev that Vietnam values the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

Lauding the positive cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the ruling United Russia Party, the host said the signing of the 2015-2017 cooperation agreement between the two Parties will lay a solid groundwork for their partnership.

Medvedev agreed to facilitate information and experience sharing in Party work and social and State management through high-level visits while expanding ties between localities.

Russia considers Vietnam a leading partner in Southeast Asia and remains determined to foster the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam and cooperation between the two Parties, Medvedev said.

He expressed his wish that the Party, State and people of Vietnam will achieve additional socio-economic successes and raise Vietnam’s position in the international arena.

The signing of the 2015-2017 agreement deepening the comprehensive partnership between the two Parties was signed by Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan and member of the Presidium of the United Russia Party’s General Council and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the Council of Russian Federation Andrey Klimov, as witnessed by the two Party leaders.

Meeting the Russian PM the same day, State President Truong Tan Sang highlighted the significance of the latter’s official Vietnam visit as the two countries celebrate the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

The President echoed the Russian PM’s opinion that accelerating the signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurosian Economic Union in the first half this year will facilitate the realisation of the targeted US$10 billion in trade between the two nations by 2020, as well as stimulating investment and production in the two countries.

The President hailed the talks between the two Prime Ministers and expressed his pleasure at the active implementation of the agreements on oil and gas, and nuclear power between the two nations, including the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant.

He also stressed the need to apply advanced technology, ensure the highest level of security and safety and boost the cooperation in military technology and personnel training.

Sang also hailed Russia’s plan to foster bilateral banking cooperation, including using national currencies for mutual settlements in a bid to boost trade between the two nations.

For his part, the Russian PM affirmed his country continually backs Vietnam at multi-lateral forums.

He also conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to President Sang to visit Russia on the upcoming occasion of the 70 th anniversary of the great Victory in early May. 

Vietnam, Russia boost defence cooperation

Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Truong Quang Khanh has said Vietnam and Russia should boost cooperation in defence industry and personnel training and high-ranking delegation exchanges.

He made the statement during a meeting with Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin, Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Technical Military Cooperation, held in Hanoi on April 6.

For his part, Fomin expressed his hope that defence cooperation between the two countries will continue to be strengthened, especially in defence industry and technology transfer.

He also highlighted the need to step up cooperation in information and telecommunications.