National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has proposed accelerating the signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus in the next two years to realise the two-way trade value goal of 7 billion USD by 2015.

Chairman Hung made the proposal at his meeting with Prime Minister D.Medvedev in Moscow on March 11 during his official visit to Russia, which began on March 9.

He highlighted the two countries’ building of yearly action plans to implement the signed agreements on security-defence, military technology, culture, education, and science-technology as part of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Vietnamese top legislator informed the host of the outcomes of his talks with the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia’s Federal Assembly and the reached measures to bolster bilateral parliamentary relations.

“The Vietnamese legislature will do its best to preserve and further develop the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia ,” he affirmed.

The host leader, for his part, underscored the significance of Chairman Hung’s visit, saying it will help boost the friendly cooperation between the two parliaments and peoples.

Medvedev said he was delighted that the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership is growing intensively, effectively and practically and proposed the maintenance of exchange of high-level delegations and enhancement of cooperation at the State and local levels.

The two sides should prioritise cooperation in nano, information, laser and new materials technologies as well as education-training, culture and tourism, the Russian PM said.

He suggested the two parliaments step up their cooperation in making laws and supervising the two Governments’ joint projects.

Russia always supports the enhancement of cooperation with Vietnam in the latter’s efforts to promote socio-economic development and gain a higher position in the region and the world, PM Medvedev said.

Later on the day, Chairman Hung had a meeting with Speaker of the Russian State Duma Sergei Naryshkin during which he praised the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Russian State Duma as laying a legal foundation for higher cooperation and further exchange of experience between the two legislative bodies.

Speaker Sergei Naryshkin told his guest that the Russian State Duma always prioritises the development of its all-round cooperation with Vietnam in commensurate with both countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.

Under the newly-signed agreement, the two legislative bodies will expand exchanges and meetings in the fields of politics, law building, social affairs, economics and humanity.

Parliamentary committees and parliamentarians’ groups will set up regular contacts and NA delegations will be exchanged to learn from each other’s experience.

At the meeting with Head of the Russian Communist Party Gennady Zyuganov, the host and guest agreed to deepen the relationship between the Communist Parties of Vietnam and Russia based on mutual understanding and respect.

They were unanimous in maintaining the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially the high level, to promote the development of the two parties’ relationship.

Also on March 11, Chairman Hung received the President of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association, wrapping up his activities in Russia before heading to Germany, the second leg of his March 9-17 European tour.-VNA