Russian and foreign media on November 12 highlighted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Vietnam and praised the sound relations between the two countries.

The Russian News Agency RIA-Novosti ran an article, saying that Russia and Vietnam signed several important cooperation agreements to promote their comprehensive strategic partnership and that the talks and meetings between President Putin and Vietnamese Party and State leaders were very successful.

Meanwhile, Russia Today Television quoted Putin as saying that the relations between Russia and Vietnam are very special thus his visit to Vietnam aims to boost bilateral cooperation and partnership.

Radio The Voice of Russia (VOR) also spotlighted the event when Putin and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang declared the opening of the 2013 Russian Culture Days in Vietnam, commenting on the growing cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Russia’s media also cited President Putin’ speech at a press conference on the results of his talks with President Sang in Hanoi, saying that the establishment of a free trade area between the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan with Vietnam will promote trade between the four countries and contribute to increasing two-way trade turnover among the sides.

The UK’s Reuters underlined the significance of energy and defence cooperation in the Vietnam-Russia relations, while the French news agency AFP said that Russia and Vietnam will further cooperate in offshore oil exploration in Vietnam’s continental shelf and deepen military ties.

The US-based Associated Press AP cited Putin’s statement which affirmed that Russia will continue providing modern military equipment for Vietnam.-VNA