VietNamNet Bridge – Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Naryshkin Sergey Evgenievich will make an official visit to Vietnam from December 2.

Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Naryshkin Sergey Evgenievich (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The two-day visit is made at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, according to the communique issued by the NA Committee for External Relations.

Vietnam and Russia have seen a rapid development in bilateral relations in recent years.

Vietnam considers Russia a priority in its external policy. Vietnam’s position in Russia’s external policy in turn has improved remarkably, becoming an important strategic partner in the Asian-Pacific region and the prime partner in Southeast Asia.

Two-way trade reached almost 4 billion USD in 2013, and exceeded 1.8 billion USD during the first eight months of this year. Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan conducted seven rounds of negotiations on a free trade agreement, aiming to sign it by the end of the year. The agreement is expected to raise bilateral trade turnover to 7 billion USD by 2015 and 10 billion USD by 2020.

Russia is currently running 92 investment projects in Vietnam, with a combined capital of 2.05 billion USD. Meanwhile, Vietnam is operating 17 projects worth 2.5 billion USD in Russia, with a focus on oil and gas, as well as banking and trade.

At the end of the Russia visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong from November 23-26, the two countries issued a joint statement, affirming to continue strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership.    

VNA/VNN