There is huge potential for Belarus and Vietnam to expand their cooperation, especially in economics, trade and science-technology, said Speaker of the Council of the Republic (Upper House) of the Belarusian National Assembly Anatoli Rubinov.

During talks with visiting Vietnamese NA Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son on December 2, Rubinov affirmed the Belarusian NA’s commitment to supporting the establishment of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

He suggested the two governments take more effective measures to make their economic and trade ties on par with political relations.

Both host and guest expressed their delight at the growing ties between the two NAs in all fields, with the regular exchange of high-level delegations and mutual support at international forums and organisations.

NA Vice Chairman Son briefed his host on the Vietnamese Party and State’s diplomatic policies as well as the outcomes of the recently-concluded sixth session of the 13th National Assembly, with the adoption of the revised 1992 Constitution and several important laws.

In regard to the East Sea issue, Son reiterated Vietnam’s consistent stance of solving relevant issues by peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), adding that Vietnam hopes Belarus will back Vietnam in the issue.-VNA