Vietnamese, Russian Prime Ministers hold talks

The Vietnamese and Russian Prime Ministers affirmed to continue the implementation of the policy of enhancing the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership as well as joint efforts to boost cooperation across sectors at their talks in Hanoi on April 6.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung spoke highly of the significance of the current official visit to Vietnam by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as the two countries celebrate the 65 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties as well as numerous major events in each country.

He said its outcomes will serve as new motivation for consolidating and developing the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two PMs informed each other of their respective country’s political and socio-economic situations and exchanged opinions on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The leaders reached consensus on maintaining and intensifying delegation exchanges among high-ranking officials, diversifying cooperation channels and closely coordinating with and supporting each other in the international arena.

They also reviewed the implementation of key projects in economics, trade, investment, oil and gas, nuclear power and military technology.

Recognising a decrease in trade, both leaders stressed the need for ministries, sectors and enterprises to seek appropriate measures, including the acceleration of the signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union in the first half of 2015, to bring trade to 10 billion USD by 2020.

To facilitate bilateral trade, they also suggested the two countries banks consider paying with one another’s currency.

Bilateral investment has not reached its potential, they said, adding that the Vietnam-Russia senior working group on prioritised investment projects chaired by the two Ministers of Industry and Trade should play an important role in selecting fields for investment and effectively carrying out selected projects.

Both host and guest spoke highly of the active implementation of projects on oil and gas, nuclear power, mining, and agriculture.

As the world’s difficult economic situation is directly affecting each country, the two countries should continue cooperating in oil and gas projects on Vietnam’s and Russia’s continental shelves in not only exploration and exploitation, but also refining. They agreed to boost the implementation of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant, ensuring the highest level of security and safety.

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

The two PMs also welcomed cooperation between the two countries’ localities and urged the establishment of a joint venture enterprise on seafood and wood processing in Primorye in the Far East region of Russia.

It is necessary to expand cooperation in science-technology, education-training, culture and tourism to deepen the bilateral comprehensive relationship, they added.

The leaders also discussed and agreed that any East Sea disputes should be addressed through peaceful means with respect to international law, including the 1982 United Nations on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and work towards the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

The Vietnamese Government leader thanked Russia for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country, believing they will continue to serve as a bridge to promote bilateral friendship and cooperation.

PM Medvedev invited his Vietnamese counterpart to pay an official visit to Russia. The latter accepted the invitation; the specific date will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing ceremony of a number of cooperative documents, including a framework agreement on Gazprom Neft’s buying 49 percent of the Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Company’s shares, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in oil and gas exploration and exploitation between Gazprom Neft and the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group.

(Source:VNA)