At their meeting in Moscow, Russia on Tuesday, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan and his Russian counterpart, Olga Golodets, agreed to take effective measures to boost economic cooperation, among other ties, between the two countries. The two Deputy PMs also agreed to the early signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, and to the acceleration of cooperation in the field of energy.

They also reached consent on measures to expand their strategic cooperation in such fields as science, technology, education, and training and agreed to step up the signing of a framework agreement on this cooperation.

Deputy PM Nhan and his Russian counterpart agreed to step up the establishment of a Vietnam – Russia Technology University, build a nuclear science and technology centre in Vietnam, promote the teaching of Russian language and literature in Vietnamese educational institutions, and increase Russian scholarships for Vietnamese students.

The two leaders agreed to create all possible conditions for the two countries’ ministries, sectors, academies and research institutes to establish and expand cooperation.

They highly valued the contribution of the Vietnamese community in Russia and the Russian community in Vietnam to both countries’ traditional relations and cooperation, and pledged to provide favorable conditions for their living, studying and working in line with each country’s laws.

Deputy PM Nhan also met with First Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma Ivan Melnikov earlier the same day, during which Nhan said Vietnam and Russia can broaden their cooperation in economics, banking, agriculture, transport, energy, sea-based economy and other sectors.

For his part, Melnikov reiterated that the Russian parliament will back Vietnam’s proposals to boost cooperation in education and training, and the establishment of joint research and education-training institutes. The Russian parliament will also consider an agreement on the travel of individuals as well as military technical cooperation, Melnikov said.