Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse arrive in Moscow for official visit to Russia. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnershipbetween Vietnam and Russia are developing actively, Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc has said.
Inan interview granted to Russia’s news agency TASS on the occasion of hisofficial visit to the country from May 20-23, PM Phuc highlighted the mutualpolitical trust with a range of meetings and delegation exchanges, especiallyhigh-level ones, and various specific, effective cooperation activities.
Thetwo sides have stepped up exchanges through all channels, from the Party to administration,the National Assembly and localities, and set up a series of dialogue andcollaboration mechanisms, he said.
Accordingto the leader, the visits by high-ranking leaders of the two countries havecreated momentum for the bilateral cooperation across spheres.
Hementioned the Vietnam-Russia and Russia-Vietnam Year in 2019 and 2020 which, hesaid, will contribute to tightening the close ties between the two peoples anddeepening the bilateral collaboration in a pragmatic and effective manner.
Regardingthe free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union thatcame into force in October 2016, the PM said the deal has helped to boosteconomic and trade links between Vietnam and Russia.
Headded that bilateral trade grew by 31 percent in 2017 to 3.55 billion USD, and roseto 4.57 billion USD in 2018, a year-on-year rise of 28.6 percent.
Inthe first quarter of 2019, two-way trade was 1.13 billion USD, increasing by10.65 percent against the same period last year.
Alongwith the growing trade, investment cooperation between the two countriescontinues to expand, with new large-scale projects emerging in oil and gas, andenergy sectors, PM Phuc noted.
Progresshas also been made in partnerships in education-training, science-technology,culture, sports and tourism, as well as affiliation between localities of thetwo countries, he added.
PMPhuc said that during the visit, he and his host Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedevwill review the development of bilateral relations over the past time,including the implementation of agreements reached by high-ranking leaders ofthe two countries.
Theywill exchange views on concrete orientations and measures to solve currentproblems standing on the path of cooperation, especially in economy, trade andinvestment.
Theleaders will look into major joint projects, covering the construction of aresearch centre of science-technology and nuclear, oil and gas, energy andtransport infrastructure in Vietnam, and Russia’s assistance in e-governmentbuilding in the Southeast Asian country.
Duringthe talks, they will also discuss some international and regional issues ofshared concern.
Thevisit is expected to deepen the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategicpartnership, meeting the practical interests of the two peoples, PM Phuc said.
Theleader emphasised that Vietnam and Russia hold optimal potential forcollaboration in such areas as energy and oil and gas, education-training,tourism, information-technology, telecommunications and employment.
He,however, pointed out that partnerships in some realms like agriculture have yetto match potential and aspirations of the two countries.
ThePM said energy and military technology are important pillars of the comprehensivestrategic partnership, adding that the two sides are expanding cooperation inthe energy sector with various projects.
The above-mentioned research centre holds strategic importance inthe application of atomic energy to Vietnam’s peaceful purposes, he noted. -VNA
VNA
