Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev have discussed measures to further boost the two nations’ comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Russian head of government joined talks with PM Phuc in Hanoi on Monday, during his official visit to Hanoi on November 18 and 19.

During the conversation, Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always treasures and prioritizes its traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

Replying to his host, PM Medvedev said that Russia considers Vietnam as one of its most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Both sides conveyed their delight at the growing ties in economic matters, trade, and investment between the two nations, along with the effective implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union.

They promised to coordinate and gradually remove barriers to the import and export of goods, especially agro-fishery-forestry products, with the aim of raising two-way trade turnover to US$10 billion by 2020.

The premiers praised the results of oil and gas cooperation, considering the ties one of the important pillars in Vietnam-Russia collaboration. 

They vowed to continue facilitating oil and gas exploration and exploitation on Vietnam’s continental shelf and in Russia’s territory, and to expand cooperation in other fields such as liquefied natural gas and gas power supply.

Measures will also be taken to expedite major projects in energy, transport, and agriculture, as well as advance collaboration in information, digital technology, and e-government.

The leaders affirmed their commitment to initiate a $350 million project on a nuclear science and technology center.

They reached consensus on tightening collaboration in defense and security, science and technology, culture, tourism, education and training, and labor.

Regarding the situation in the East Vietnam Sea, both sides agreed on the preservation of aviation and navigation safety and freedom in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Coordination at multilateral forums should also be maintained for the interests of the two peoples, they stated.

Following the talks, PM Medvedev met with Party chief and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in Hanoi on the same day.

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