HÀ NỘI – Russia has always been a priority in Việt Nam’s external affairs, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc told Russian Ambassador to Việt Nam Konstantin Vasilievich Vnukov at a meeting in Hà Nội on Wednesday. 
Discussing issues in promoting bilateral relations, PM Phúc said there is huge room for Việt Nam – Russia co-operation, saying the two Governments need to push their ministries and agencies to carry out reached agreements. 
He agreed with the Russian Ambassador’s view that the two sides should promote ties in agriculture and seafood, and called on the two sides to enhance the effectiveness of the Việt Nam– Russia Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, contributing to the friendship between the two nations. 
The PM asked the Russian side to facilitate Việt Nam’s investment projects in Russia and accelerate the pace of certain co-operation projects. 
He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will create optimal conditions for Russian citizens to work in the Việt Nam-Russia Oil and Gas joint venture Vietsovpetro and other projects in Việt Nam. 
He extended his thanks to Russia for providing assistance to Vietnamese flood victims. 
For his part, the Russian Ambassador applauded Việt Nam’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of Russia’s October Revolution. 
He congratulated Việt Nam on the success of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Đà Nẵng, noting that 2017 is also a special year in the two nations’ relations with high-level delegation exchanges, including President Trần Đại Quang’s official visit to Russia and President Vladimir Putin’s attendance of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Việt Nam. 
Russia has sent a list of priority items in bilateral co-operation to Việt Nam’s foreign ministry, he said, adding that he hopes Việt Nam’s delegations will attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and several similar events in Russia, as they present opportunities to strengthen relations between the two nations. 
The ambassador proposed some areas for future co-operation, including agriculture. 
PM Phúc welcomed the proposals, affirming that he will instruct ministries and sectors to implement them. — VNS