SOCHI — Việt Nam’s sees Russia as one of its most important and reliable partners, Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng reiterated during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi yesterday.

Vietnamese people have always remembered the valuable support of Russia in the past and at present, he said.

Trọng lauded the achievements Russia has gained over the years, as well as its important position in the global arena.

Meanwhile, Putin affirmed Russia has always held Việt Nam in high regards as a leading partner in Asia-Pacific.

He said he believed the ongoing official visit to Russia by Party leader Trọng will create an important milestone and new driving force for the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two leaders expressed their pleasure at the development in relations. The traditional friendship between Việt Nam and Russia has stood the test of time and has been nurtured by several generations of leaders and peoples. Such a valuable commodity should be maintained and promoted, they said.

Amid the friendly atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding, the two sides focused discussion on measures to create new momentum for bilateral co-operation.

They agreed to exert maximum efforts to develop their partnership in a deeper and more effective manner.

The two leaders decided to maintain high-level delegation exchanges, political consultations and strategic dialogues across all channels – including the Party, Government, parliament, agencies, ministries, departments and localities.

They agreed to reinforce political trust to boost and expand collaboration.

Việt Nam and Russia will organise the Russian Year in Việt Nam and vice versa on the occasions of the 25th anniversary of the treaty on the basic principles for bilateral friendship in 2019, and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2020.

The two leaders said they are pleased with the rapid growth of bilateral ties in economy and trade, particularly after the free trade agreement between Việt Nam and the Eurasia Economic Union took effect.

They noted improvements should be made to the work of the Việt Nam-Russia intergovernmental committee on economy-trade and science-technology co-operation in monitoring and implementing bilateral agreements and in seeking new joint projects related to energy, transport infrastructure, information and telecommunications.

On co-operation in energy, oil and gas, the leaders agreed to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Russian firms to carry out their existing projects. They said there will be more new projects involving national oil and gas companies from both sides.  

They agreed to facilitate the operation of prioritised investment projects in the two nations.

The leaders of the two countries said they will work on encouragement policies and the simplification of procedures and criteria helping their products find easier access to each other’s market.

They stated the two countries will continue their close collaboration in defence-security, manifesting their mutual trust.

The leaders reached an agreement to implement a project on building a centre for science and nuclear technology in Việt Nam, considering it a key project concerning the use of nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

They agreed to enhance joint engagement in education-trainning, culture and tourism as well as to boost co-operation between Vietnamese and Russian localities.

Party leader Trọng and Putin also exchanged opinions on international and regional matters of common interests. They both urged the necessity of tackling conflict by peaceful measures without the use of, or threat to use, force and with respect to international law. 

Trọng stated that Việt Nam backs Russia’s increasing role in ensuring security, peace, stability, and co-operation in the Asia-Pacific, Southeast Asia and in the world.

The leaders lauded the contributions of Vietnamese expatriates in Russia as an important bridge for relations.

Trọng on Wednesday had talks with Russian Prime Minister and Chairman of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev as part of his ongoing visit to Russia.

The two leaders spoke highly of the quality and dynamism in bilateral co-operation in a wide range of fields, from politics, diplomacy, economics, security and national defence to culture, health care, science-technology, education-training and law-justice.

PM Medvedev informed his guest that the Russian government is drafting a treaty on organised labour and movement of citizens of the two countries, thus facilitating people-to-people exchange and stimulating tourism.

The two sides said they were satisfied with the constant development of the relationship between the CPV and the United Russia, which helps consolidate the foundation of the friendship, co-operation and political trust between the two parties, governments and peoples of the two countries.

They agreed to increase the exchange of delegation and mutual consultation through the party channel on important issues of mutual concern, thus contributing to the development of the Việt Nam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. — VNS