President Truong Tan Sang has met with a number of leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members on the sidelines of APEC 20 in Vladivostok, Russia.
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| President Truong Tan Sang and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin |
During his meeting with Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin on Sept. 8, the two sides have discussed practical measures to make Vietnam-Russia relations more substantial and effective.
The two leaders praised the signing of a document on impact research to kick- start negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and Customs Alliance members including Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in the first quarter of next year.
They expressed hopes that after being signed, the FTA will create a new framework for further promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation among all parties concerned.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the Far East in areas such as mining, wood processing, garments and textiles, seafood production, education and training.
President Sang said Vietnam is keen to invest in the Far East, adding that with its experience and advantages, the country can help Russia fully tap potential in the Far East.
For his part, Putin said his country will create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to carry out long-term investment projects.
On the same day, President Sang met with the prime ministers of Japan, Singapore, Australia and the head of the US Delegation.
At the meetings, the leaders spoke highly of Vietnam’s efforts in innovating its economic growth model and comprehensive international integration.
The officials agreed that it is necessary to maintain peace, stability and security in the region and promote cooperation and economic integration as well as strengthen solidarity and uphold the central role played by ASEAN in the regional structures, towards the aims of building the ASEAN Community by 2015.
On September 9, Sang had bilateral meetings with the presidents of the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the Philippines.
RoK President Lee Myung-bak expressed his delight at the fine development in the strategic partnership between the two nations over the years and spoke highly of diverse activities launched in the Vietnam-RoK Friendship Year 2012.
He said both sides need to further step up economic and trade cooperation, to lift two-way trade to 20 billion USD before 2015.
Sang asked the RoK side to create the best possible conditions for Vietnamese guest labourers to work there in the future.
At another meeting, Sang and his Filipino counterpart Benigno S. Aquino discussed ways to upgrade bilateral ties.
They agreed that in the near future, ASEAN needs to reinforce solidarity, give top priority to building an ASEAN community by 2015 and bring into full play its central role resolving important issues for the sake of peace, security and prosperity in the region.
While in Vladivostok, President Truong Tan Sang met with the Russian President's Representative in the Far East Federal District, Victor Ishayev, and Primorie regional Governor Vladimir Miklushevsky.
At the meeting with Ishayev, President Sang praised Russia’s thorough preparations for the APEC Forum 2012 and said he hopes that the event will be successful and help promote development connectivity, as well as deal with the current difficulties APEC members are facing and elevate Russia’s status in the ongoing situation.
He also proposed opening direct Vietnam-Far East air routes to facilitate trade exchanges.
Ishayev said Russia is seeking partners in the Asia-Pacific region and he agreed to open a direct air route between Vietnam and Vladivostok.
While receiving Primorie regional Governor Miklushevsky, President Sang highlighted cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and the Primorie region, as well as the Far East as a whole.
He thanked the Primorie's administration and its people for helping the Vietnamese community living and studying in the region and for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese Consulate General to operate efficiently.
On Sept. 9, Sang and the Vietnamese delegation left Vladivostok for Astana, Kazakhstan for a state visit to the country.
(Source: VNA)
