Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) meets with Russia Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vnukov in Hanoi on November 11. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Russia should takemeasures to soon lift the annual bilateral trade to 10 billion USD, Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc said during his reception in Hanoi for Russia Ambassador to Vietnam KonstantinVnukov on November 11.
The reception took place shortly after the virtual meetingof the Vietnam – Russia Inter-governmental Committee had wrapped up successfully onthe same day.
Speaking to the Russian diplomat, PM Phuc welcomed themeeting, saying itprovided a good opportunity for the governments, ministries andagencies of the two sides to exchange views and seek ways to foster cooperation in the comingtime.
He also spoke highly of the enthusiastic contributions madeby the Russian diplomat during his mission in Vietnam to strengthening the two countries’Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Vietnam and Russia enjoy a high level of politicaltrust and regular exchanges of delegation, particularly at the high level, theleader said, adding that economic cooperation between the two nations has seenpositive progress over recent years, with two-way trade growing to 4.5 billionUSD in 2019 from 2.5 billion USD in 2014.
Despite the adverse impact of COVID-19, the bilateral trade rose bynearly 10 percent in the first nine months of this year, he added.
The leader went on to say the two countries should further beefup ties in economy, trade, security and defence, and that they need to removebarriers to pave the way for expansion of cooperation.
Russia Ambassador Konstantin Vnukov, for his part, said Russiaand Vietnam have a special relationship and the Russian side always treasures this.
He affirmed Russia’s support for Vietnam as the Chair of ASEANthis year, saying ASEAN is one of Russia’ top priorities for cooperation inAsia-Pacific and Vietnam tops ASEAN member states in economic and traderelations with Russia.
Vietnam is among the countries succeeding in combating COVID-19,he continued, adding Russia wants to assist Vietnam in COVID response, particularly interms of vaccine.
PM Phuc, meanwhile, reiterated that as the ASEAN Chair 2020,Vietnam continues supporting and bolstering the ASEAN-Russia StrategicPartnership./.
VNA
