Vietnamese PM, Russian leaders reaffirm strategic partnership

President Putin at a reception for the Vietnamese Prime Minister in Moscow highly valued the talks between the Prime Minister and his Russian counterpart and the accords of co-operation inked during Dung's visit.

The Russian President affirmed his country's policy to promote the strategic partnership with Viet Nam.

Russia wanted to increase co-operation with Viet Nam in the areas that are strengths of their countries in an effort to bring the economic, trade and investment relations on a par with their fine political relations, he said.

PM Dung took this opportunity to express thanks to President Putin and the Russian administration for providing favourable conditions and assistance for the Vietnamese community in Russia.

During talks with his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Ephimovich Fradkov, Dung said Viet Nam attached great importance to strengthening the strategic partnership with Russia while continuing its renewal process and foreign policy of diversification and multilateralisation.

The PM spoke highly of Russia's role in dealing with international and regional issues and affirmed Viet Nam's support for the country's bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

For his part, Fradkov asserted that the Government of the Russian Federation was eager to develop its relations with Viet Nam - which it considers to be a strategic partner in Southeast Asia.

The Russian Federation backed Viet Nam's candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-2009 term, he said.

Host and guest reviewed the bilateral co-operation that focuses on oil and gas, energy, mining, trade, industry, agriculture, science and technology, culture and education.

The two Prime Ministers went on to jointly announce a new target of US$2 billion in two-way trade by 2010.

After their talks, they witnessed the signing of pacts, including an agreement on the Vietsovpetro joint venture between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Russia Ministry of Industry, a co-operation plan between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and a deal between the Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Zarubezhneft to establish a joint venture to explore oil and gas in Russia and other countries.

At his meeting with Vice Chairman of the State Duma Valentin Kuptsov and Vice Chairman of the Federation Council Dmitry Mezentsev, Dung said Viet Nam had given priority to developing the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the Russian Federation on the basis of mutual trust, understanding and benefit.

Viet Nam supported the Russian Federation's efforts to increase its presence in Southeast Asia, he said, adding that this was an important factor to ensure peace, security and cooperation in the region.

Both Kuptsov and Mezentsev expressed delight at positive developments in Russia-Viet Nam relations and said that relevant agencies of the two nations should work out joint plans of action to deploy the strategic partnership in specific areas to match their traditional friendship and potential.

Also on the day, Dung laid floral wreaths at the monument to unknown martyrs and V. Lenin's Mausoleum.

Dung plans to receive leaders from several Russian leading companies and attend a Russia-Viet Nam business forum today - the last day of his visit to Russia. Later on the day, he will leave for Prague to begin an official visit to the Czech Republic.

Vietnam News/Asia News Network