Vietnam-Russia Joint Communique Vietnam and Russia issued a joint communique on the occasion of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Russia from May 12-15, at the invitation of Prime Minister Medvedev. In the joint communique, the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Russia underscored that the lifting of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership level has created a strong driving force for the development of bilateral cooperation in the new historical period. The two Governments will work closely together and instruct ministries, departments and localities in their respective countries to comprehensively deepen cooperation in various areas. The two sides agreed to increase political dialogues, further bolster the relations through party, State, Government and legislature channels as well as between ministries, departments and peoples of the two nations. Leaders of the Vietnamese and Russian Governments agreed to continue to implement measures to boost two-way trade to 7 billion USD by 2015 and 10 billion USD by 2020. They welcomed the start of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan , as well as the positive outcome of the first round of talks. The two sides agreed to negotiate a comprehensive free trade agreement covering trade, investment, services and issues of mutual concern, based on flexible principles, development goals, the balance between demand and interest in line with common international practices and the World Trade Organisation’s regulations. The two sides assessed bilateral cooperation in nuclear energy as positive and emphasised the importance of the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Vietnam . They also spoke highly of the performance of oil and gas joint ventures between the two countries and agreed to continue facilitating their operation. Vietnam and Russia were unanimous in furthering collaboration in national defence and security in the spirit of agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders. The two sides took note of the great potential for bilateral cooperation in areas such as mining, civil aviation and telecommunications. The two PMs affirmed their determination to implement the high-level agreements reached by President Truong Tan Sang and President Vladimir Putin as stated in the Joint Statement in July 2012 on further strengthening the Vietnam –Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in foreign policies as well as boosting coordination in international arena, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia – Pacific region and the world. During PM Dung’s visit, the two sides signed a tourism cooperation plan between the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Agency for Tourism of Russia and a cooperation programme between the two Ministries of Justice for the 2013-2014 period. The two sides agreed that that PM Dung’s visit to Russia has made important contributions to advancing the Vietnam – Russia comprehensive strategic partnership./.