Vietnam, Russia enhance comprehensive strategic partnership Vietnam and Russia have issued a joint statement at the end of the Russia visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong from November 23-26, affirming to continue strengthening comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. The Party leader held talks with President V. Putin and met with Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev, Chairwoman of Russia's Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, and Acting Chairman of the State Duma Ivan Ivanovich Melnikov. During talks, the two countries’ leaders confirmed their consistent policy of fostering the comprehensive strategic partnership and stressed the coordinating role of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee in economics, trade, science, and technology cooperation, the statement said. They expressed their satisfaction at negotiations for a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, which is expected to be signed next year. They stressed the strategic importance of cooperation in nuclear energy, particularly the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant, and agreed to accelerate the implementation of a project to build a nuclear science and technology centre in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Party leader and the Russian President highly valued cooperation in oil and gas, calling for effectively implementing existing projects, launching new ones and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Russian state oil and gas companies to operate in their respective territories. They agreed to expand cooperation in oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Vietnam’s continental shelf as prescribed by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The two sides supported cooperation in energy and the construction of new energy projects in accordance with Vietnam’s energy development plan until 2030. They emphasised prospects for cooperation in the areas of industry, agriculture, fisheries, credit, finance, military and military technology, national defense, and security. They confirmed the importance of bringing cooperation in education, science, and technology to the strategic level, while welcoming the organisation of cultural days on rotational basis, increase of visit exchanges and contacts in media and archiving, and between friendship and social organisations. They also agreed to work together to celebrate a number of important events next year including the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the South of Vietnam and national reunification, the 70th anniversary of Victory Day of Russia’s Great Patriotic War, and the 70th National Day of Vietnam. The leaders stressed contributions by the Vietnamese and Russian citizens working, studying and living in their respective countries, and pledged to create favorable conditions for them to work, study and live in accordance with the host country’s law. They affirmed to increase coordination and support each other at regional and global forums. The two sides agreed that the official visit to Russia by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will create stronger momentum for the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Party leader invited President Putin to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time and the Russian President accepted the invitation. The visit be arranged via the diplomatic channel. VNA/VOV.VN