President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during their meeting in Moscow on December 1 as part of the former's official visit to Russia.

The President affirmed the Party and State of Vietnam always keep in mind Russia’s assistance for Vietnam in the past and at present, and attach importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

Vietnam considers Russia a leading priority partner in its foreign policy, he said, while expressing his delight at achievements Russia has obtained in recent times.

Host and guest focused their discussion on cooperation between the two countries in areas, especially economics, while expressing their pleasure with the continued expansion in bilateral trade and investment cooperation despite impacts of COVID-19.

They spoke highly of outcomes of the 23rd meeting of the Vietnam-Russia Inter-governmental Committee on Economic-Trade and Scientific-Technological Cooperation that took place in October.

The two sides agreed to facilitate bilateral trade, including making the most of preferences of the Vietnam and the Asia-Europe Economic Union free trade agreement, and encouraging the implementation of large investment projects in areas that both sides are strong in such as industry, agriculture and infrastructure.

They affirmed determination to maintain and expand cooperation in energy and oil and gas in Vietnam and Russia – one of the key pillars in the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.

President Phuc and PM Mishustin reached consensus on orientations and measures to boost collaboration in the fields of education-training, science-technology, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange.

They agreed to enhance cooperation in COVID-19 vaccine and drug production.

PM Mishustin affirmed the Russian Government treasures and wishes to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam and will closely coordinate with the Vietnamese Government, particularly within the framework of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Economic-Trade and Scientific-Technological Cooperation, to carry out effectively agreements reached between Presidents Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vladimir Putin.

President Phuc wished that the Russian Government continues to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and work in Russia.

On the occasion, the President conveyed the invitation to visit Vietnam from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to PM Mishustin.

President meets Chairman of State Duma of Russia

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has affirmed that Russia is always a top priority, trustworthy and traditional partner of Vietnam.

During a meeting with Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin in Moscow on December 1, President Phuc wished that the two legislatures would further uphold the role of the Vietnam – Russia Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in strengthening bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership and inter-parliamentary cooperation in particular.

Volodin, for his part, thanked the Vietnamese President for supporting ties between the two legislatures.

He affirmed that the State Duma of Russia treasures and wants to boost relations with the Vietnamese National Assembly, contributing to deepening ties between the two nations.

On the occasion, he also invited leaders of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) to the international forum on the development of parliamentarianism scheduled for September 2022 in Moscow.

President Phuc also conveyed NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s invitation to visit Vietnam to the host.

In the morning the same day, the Vietnamese leader laid wreaths at Ho Chi Minh Monument and a memorial dedicated to unknown martyrs in Moscow. Later, he paid tribute to Vladimir Ilyich Lenin - a great leader of the working class and international communist movement at his mausoleum.

President wishes to lift trade with Russia by 15 times

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked ministries, agencies and businesses of Vietnam and Russia to seek ways lifting two-way trade by 15 times and tripling investment in the near future.

Addressing the Vietnam – Russia Business Forum that drew 80 firms from both sides in Moscow on December 1, Phuc said Vietnam is one of the 20 most successful countries globally in terms of foreign direct investment attraction,

He suggested Russian firms study more about Vietnamese market and vice versa to achieve better results.

As room for bilateral economic cooperation remains huge, trust in political, diplomatic and economic ties will open up new chapters in the near future, he said, adding that the two countries’ authorities need to work closely together to deal with existing obstacles.  

The success of Russian investors is the expectation and pride of Vietnam, he stated.

President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin, for his part, said Russian and Vietnamese firms need to capitalise on advantages from the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, adding Russian companies are interested in investing in Vietnam.

Entrepreneurs at the event expressed their willingness to invest in each other on the back of the two nations' long-standing ties as well as opportunities and incentives offered by each country.

President meets with Speaker of Russia’s Federation Council

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, in Moscow on December 1 within the framework of his official visit to the Russian Federation.

President Phuc affirmed Vietnam always considers the Russian Federation a priority in its foreign policy and supports the Russian Federation to have a greater role and voice in the region and the world.

Meanwhile, Matvienko stressed that President Phuc’s visit this time will create a new motivation to boost bilateral ties in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership (2001-2021) and preparing for the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2012-2022).

Both leaders appreciated the positive development of the bilateral relations, especially in the fields of politics, trade, economy, investment, defence and security, energy, education and science, despite serious impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President welcomed the close coordination between the National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam and the Federal Assembly of Russia at international and regional forums, affirming that Vietnam continues to support and actively participate in international initiatives initiated by the Federation Council for the common interests of the two countries, thus contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world.

For her part, Matvienko asserted that the Federation Council always backs strengthening relations with Vietnam and continues to work closely with the Vietnamese NA to speed up the implementation of cooperation agreements and projects between the two countries, including those reached between President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The Federation Council will continue acting as a bridge to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ provinces and cities, she affirmed.

The two leaders affirmed to further promote the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a deep and effective manner, including collaboration between the two parliaments./.

Source: VNA