Grigory Trofimchuk, head of the expert council of the Eurasian ideas foundation at the interview (Source: VNA)Moscow (VNA) – Vietnam and Russia holdgreat potential for bilateral cooperation based on time-honoured relations,said Grigory Trofimchuk, head of the expert council of the Eurasian ideas foundation.
He made the statement during an interviewwith the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of President Tran Dai Quang’sofficial visit to Russia from June 28-July 1.
The two countries have elevated theirrelations to comprehensive strategic partnership, he noted, adding that the freetrade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), whichtook effect in last October, has helped accelerate Vietnam - Russia trade andinvestment ties.
According to Trofimchuk, boosting bilateraltrade must be a cooperation priority between the two countries.
The Vietnamese and Russian markets are hometo 100 million and 140 million people, respectively, but two-way trade remainsat only 3 billion USD. The two countries’ leaders have set a goal of 10 billionUSD in bilateral trade by 2020.
The expert said the target is possible withthe formation of the Vietnam – EAEU free trade area.
The point is how both nations removebarriers for and facilitate their respective enterprises, he suggested,revealing that the Russian side pays special attention to opportunities andchallenges facing Vietnamese and Russian small- and medium-sized firms inaccessing each other’s market.
He highlighted President Tran Dai Quang’svisit to Russia as an important political event to strengthen the traditionalrelations, with expectation that cooperation pacts signed as part of the visitwould significantly stimulate Vietnam – Russia partnership.
According to Trofimchuk, his expert councilwill held a roundtable discussion seeking measures to make the comprehensivestrategic partnership more effective.-VNA
VNA
