National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and visiting Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia, Sergey Yevgenyevich Naryshkin, agreed to deepen the friendship and co-operation between the two legislative bodies during talks in Ha Noi yesterday.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung receives Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Sergey Yevgenyevich Naryshkin in Ha Noi yesterday.

They consented to cement ties through the exchange of high-ranking delegations, joint supervision of co-operation agreements, and an update of information about their legislative activities.

The two sides will also further support each other at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

Hung said that Viet Nam always considered Russia a leading partner in its foreign policy, and the upgrading of their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership demonstrated Viet Nam's appreciation of Russia and bilateral relations.

He spoke highly of efforts to implement co-operation projects, including those in security-defence and technique-military.

Naryshkin said he was delighted at the growth of two-way trade, which reached US$4 billion in 2013 and topped $2 billion in the first nine months of 2014.

However, he said that such a level did not match the two countries' potential.

He said he hoped that a free-trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan would further boost bilateral trade and investment relations once it was reached in early 2015.

Naryshkin also said Russia would prioritise co-operation with Viet Nam in the fields of information, nano, laser and biological technologies, and work closer to carry out joint sci-tech projects.

During the talks, Hung asked Russia to extend its assistance to Viet Nam in education-training through scholarships for Vietnamese students.

He said he hoped that the two sides would continue to hold cultural exchanges, including their annual culture days.

Hung invited Naryshkin and Matviyenko to attend the 132nd IPU General Assembly in Ha Noi in March next year.

PM meets Duma chief

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday met the Russian State Duma Chairman, stressing that Viet Nam attached special importance to its relations with Russia and wished for further enhancement of ties in the future.

The Cabinet leader valued the outcomes of talks between the two countries' top legislators and considered them a crucial contribution to the time-honoured friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Russia.

The Prime Minister thanked the European country for its enormous support and assistance to Viet Nam in the struggle for national liberation and unification in the past and national construction in the present.

He urged both countries to further co-ordinate and support each other's viewpoints and legitimate interests at international forums, especially the United Nations.

The Prime Minister also urged both countries to enhance delegation and people-to-people exchanges to boost mutual trust and understanding while beefing up cooperation in potential areas such as the economy, trade, investment and tourism, along with traditional areas such as science and technology, education and training, oil and gas and military technique and nuclear energy.

For his part, Naryshkin stressed that Russia valued the development of bilateral relations in all realms, from politics, diplomacy and economy to oil and gas, nuclear energy and military technique.

During their meeting, the two sides exchanged views on complicated developments and conflicts around the globe and touched upon the values of a multi-polar world with respect to dialogue and one another's legitimate interests, as well as compliance with international law.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the Russian official reiterated his country's support for Viet Nam's stance of using peaceful measures, abiding by internationally recognised principles including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and refraining from the use of force in any form.

Earlier in the day, the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia also had an exchange with students of the Viet Nam National University in Ha Noi.

At the event, Naryshkin introduced his country's foreign policy, affirming that Russia always considered Viet Nam its leading partner.

Noting with pleasure the fruitful bilateral relationship, he said that it would further develop in the future.

He also stressed the need to increase collaboration and exchanges between the two peoples, especially young generations, in a bid to push the bilateral friendship forward.

The Duma Chairman confirmed that Russia would continue to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese citizens to pursue their studies in the country, adding that his government would increase scholarship for Viet Nam in the future.

Participating students questioned the Russian guest on the country, land and socio-economic development of Russia as well as prospects for bilateral ties.

Party General Secretary welcomes Russian State Duma Chairman

Consolidating and developing the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam remains unchanged priority in the Russia’s foreign policy.

Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Sergey Evgenievich Naryshkin told Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi on December 3.

The visiting Chairman of the State Duma informed the host of the outcome of his talks with the Vietnamese National Assembly and Government leader.

He said the parliaments of the two countries will continue to implement the bilateral cooperation agreements and share experience in legislative activities.

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong expressed his belief the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Russian State Duma will implement more effectively the inter-parliamentarian cooperation agreements signed in 2013.

The Party General Secretary Trong also urged the two countries to accelerate the implementation of joint projects in energy, oil and gas, nuclear, education-training, science-technology, national defence and security.

The same day, the Vietnamese and Russian associations of history signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation in science and archeology.

VNS/VNA