MOSCOW — The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Sputnik Information Agency, an arm of the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency (RSIIA), will exchange information to promote cooperation between Việt Nam and Russia.

An agreement to this effect was inked by VNA general director Nguyễn Đức Lợi and RSIIA director general Dmitry Kiselev on Thursday under the framework of President Trần Đại Quang’s official visit to Russia. This is one of the seven official documents signed in the presence of President Quang and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The agreement allows the two agencies to access and use each other’s text news on events occurring in the territories of Việt Nam, Russia and some other countries.

In addition, the two sides will participate in projects to expand the information space and increase professional and impartial coverage of political, cultural, economic and sport issues.

Under the agreement, the two agencies will promote the flow of information as well as mutual understanding and solidarity between the two countries’ people, and share experiences to successfully implement joint projects.

Besides this, the two sides will support each other’s correspondents operating in their respective countries.

In an interview with the Sputnik news agency, VNA general director Lợi highlighted that Việt Nam and Russia have enjoyed a close and longstanding relationship. The Vietnamese public always pays great attention to the growth of bilateral ties as well as the strong development of Russia, he added.

As Việt Nam’s sole national news agency, the VNA has set up information partnerships with some 40 news agencies around the world, he said, expressing belief that the signing of the co-operation deal between VNA and Sputnik will help both sides improve their services in providing news of each country and strengthen bilateral relations.

He also expressed hope that the two news agencies will continue seeking new effective measures to implement the agreement in the current digital era.

The VNA general director is accompanying President Quang during his official visit to Russia from Wednesday to Saturday. — VNS