Vietnam will go the extra mile for stronger friendship with Russia, with the realisation of agreements reached by the two legislatures, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has noted.

Receiving First Vice President of the State Duma and Vice President of the Communist Party of Russian Federation Ivan Ivanovich Melnikov in Hanoi on December 23, Chairman Hung made it clear that the Vietnamese NA and people always treasure the traditional cooperation with Russia and stand ready to bridge partnerships between the European country and Southeast Asian nations.

Vietnam hopes for Russia’s support in developing its connections with European countries, the host said.
Melnikov told the top legislator that Russia pays special attention to realising cooperation deals with the Vietnamese legislature.

He applauded Vietnam’s recent socio-economic accomplishments and said the country is on the way to become the most active country in the world with ever better living conditions.

He sought further bilateral coordination to roll out cooperation agreements across diverse areas, expressing hopes that the special long-standing relations fostered by various Vietnamese and Russian generations will keep going forward in the time to come.

In his welcome to Melnikov the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung suggested the State Duma of Russia help Vietnam in joint projects on oil and gas, energy and nuclear power, especially in its negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Union of Customs of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The host proposed that the State Duma offer all possible support to the overseas Vietnamese community so that they can easily integrate into the host society and make further socio-economic contributions.

The First Vice President said Russia always adopts measures to step up links with Vietnam –one of its special development partners, particularly in economics, trade, investment and energy.

The State Duma of Russia backs key projects and agreements signed by the two countries’ leaders, notably the legal procedures to facilitate the construction of Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant, the first of its kind in Vietnam.

He also called on relevant sides to actively negotiate the FTA between Vietnam and the Union of Customs, vowing that he will do his best to make it easier for the Vietnamese community to live and work in Russia.-VNA