President Trần Đại Quang (L) meets with Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin in Moscow yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

MOSCOW — President Trần Đại Quang praised the close cooperation and mutual support between the two legislatures of Việt Nam and Russia during his meeting with Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin in Moscow yesterday.

He shared his wish that the Viet Nam-Russia and Russia-Việt Nam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Groups will continue working hard to help consolidate the collaborations between the two legislative bodies and the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.

At the meeting, the two sides described the effective implementation of the Việt Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) as a top priority.

President Quang suggested the two parliaments work closely together to monitor the EVFTA’s implementation in order to boost bilateral trade relations, with an aim of raising two-way trade to US$10 billion by 2020.

The Russian Duma Chairman spoke highly of the Vietnamese President’s official visit to Russia, saying that it has mapped out development orientations and deepened the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, including the ties between their legislatures.

The State Duma always pays special attention to promoting and enhancing the Việt Nam– Russia cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science – technology, education – training, defence – security and tourism, he said.

The Russian legislative body will actively support the building of a suitable legal framework to step up investment cooperation in industry, agriculture, energy, oil and gas between the two nations.

He also expressed his delight at Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân’s upcoming participation in the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly slated for October in Russia.

President Quang noted his support for cultural exchanges between the two countries, including the organisation of Russian Culture Days in Việt Nam in 2017.

He also called on the State Duma to provide legal assistance and favourable conditions for Vietnamese people living in the country.— VNS