Viet Nam, Russia to strengthen co-operation over oil and gas Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) receives Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photo Tri Dung HA NOI (VNS)— Viet Nam will continue to support the joint pursuit of oil and gas projects in its continental shelf with Russia, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said. Pointing out the nation paid special attention to boosting cooperation with Russia in the energy sector, the PM stressed the issue during his talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Ha Noi yesterday. The talks followed an official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace for the Russian Prime Minister. He asked for Russian reciprocation by allowing the establishment of new joint ventures between Vietnamese and Russian companies on projects in Russia. Prime Minister Medvedev assured his host of continued cooperation in finding and producing oil and gas in Viet Nam's continental shelf. The Russian Government would support and create the best possible conditions for the two countries' joint venture companies to strengthen and expand cooperation in Russia, he added. The two Prime Ministers spoke highly of oil and gas exploration and exploitation in both Viet Nam and Russia conducted by the existing joint ventures. Emphasising friendship, trust and mutual understanding, the two PMs briefed each other on political, economic and social situations, also exchanging views on bilateral relations and international issues of mutual concern. They agreed to step up political relations through the exchange of multi-level delegations and diversifying cooperation channels. The pair hailed results of the 15th meeting of the inter-governmental committee on economics-trade and science and technology held in Moscow on October 17-19, and highlighted achievements in key cooperation fields including trade, nuclear energy, oil and gas, military and technology. Both sides discussed measures to implement strategic cooperation projects and increase economic exchanges to realise the set target of raising bilateral trade to US$7 billion by 2015. They stressed the importance of negotiations on the establishment of a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, which are expected to be completed within two years of the scheduled launch during the first quarter of 2013. At the talks, Dung asked Russia to facilitate the establishment of joint ventures producing garments, footwear, wooden furniture, seafood and electronic products in Russia's Far Eastern region as well as in other major cities. For his part, the visiting PM affirmed the Russian government would offer incentives for Vietnamese enterprises seeking investment opportunities in the Far Eastern region as well as other areas of Russia . The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in security, defence, science and technology, education and training, culture, sports, tourism and banking. They also expressed their pleasure at the two countries' collaboration and mutual support at the UN as well as at regional and international forums. Medvedev said he hoped Viet Nam would continue to act as a bridge for Russia to strengthen its ties with ASEAN and Southeast Asian countries. Meanwhile,Dung thanked Russian leaders and local authorities for enabling Vietnamese communities to reside and thrive in Russia. He said he believed the Vietnamese community would excel in their role as a bridge for friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Dung hailed the Russian PM's visit, the first high-ranking one since the two countries lifted relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in July this year, as an important event consolidating and developing the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Russia. The two leaders agreed that the fruitful visit would create a new, strong impetus for the Viet Nam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, while Dung gladly accepted an invitation to visit Russia in the near future. After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on the exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes and met with the press. Medvedev was also received by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung during separate meetings yesterday in the capital. Meeting with the Russian leader, who is also President of the United Russia Party, Trong spoke of the visit's significance and valued the strategic partnership between the two countries. He said he was pleased with Russia's achievements in national modernisation and international integration, expressing his belief that the country would continue to develop and make remarkable contributions to peace, stability and development both in the Asia-Pacific region and on the world stage. The Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) and the United Russia Party would continue to co-operate with each other, strengthening the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries, Trong added. Medvedev spoke glowingly of Viet Nam's achievements under the leadership of the CPV. He said Viet Nam was considered a leading partner of Russia in Southeast Asia and he was determined to strengthen the two countries' bond. Receiving the Russian guest, President Sang affirmed that Viet Nam attached special importance to relations with Russia, its leading strategic partner. He expressed his belief that Medvedev's visit would strongly boost the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in such key areas as trade, energy, oil and gas, nuclear power, military technology, education and training. He suggested the two Governments focus on realising their agreements in order to develop bilateral ties effectively. For his part, Medvedev thanked the Vietnamese State and people for their warm welcome and stressed that Viet Nam always held an important position in Russia's foreign policy. At his meeting with the Russian leader, National Assembly Chairman Hung affirmed that Viet Nam would make tireless efforts to consolidate and develop co-operation with Russia. Delegation exchanges and mutual support at multilateral parliaments have aided co-operation between the two countries, Hung added. Medvedev expressed hope that Vietnamese and Russian legislators would forge closer working relationships to speed up co-operative programmes and projects between the two countries. — VNS