Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (right) and his Russian counterpart Maxim Akimov (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always treasures the comprehensive strategicpartnership with Russia and supports the country in enhancing its role andposition in Asia-Pacific, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has said.
Receivinghis Russian counterpart Maxim Akimov in Hanoi on October 29, the Deputy PMaffirmed that Vietnam wishes to deepen the bilateral cooperation in a pragmaticmanner.
Binh said the outcomes of the freshly-concluded 22nd session of theVietnam-Russia Inter-governmental Committee for Economic-Commercial andScientific-Technological Cooperation have reflected joint efforts in removingobstacles to bilateral collaboration and seeking measures to step up thepartnership.
Regarding Vietnam-Russia Year 2019, the official urged organisers of both sidesto coordinate with each other and use the agreed logos to increase theefficiency of the communication work.
In the sphere of commerce, he pointed out the signs of decline in bilateraltrade, with revenue in the first nine months of this year standing at only 3.4billion USD, down 1.4 percent year-on-year.
Given this, Binh suggested the two sides continue to work together to removenon-tariff barriers in a bid to optimise the free trade agreement betweenVietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Binh stated that oil and gas is a strategic cooperative sector in the bilateralrelationship, noting Vietnam is willing to create favourable conditions forRussian enterprises to expand oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Vietnam’scontinental shelf in line with international law, including the 1982 UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He also called on the Russian Government to support and encourage oil and gasfirms to expand their activities in Vietnam’s continental shelf.
Akimov, for his part, affirmed that Vietnam is not only an important diplomaticand trading partner but also a traditional friend of Russia.
The highest-level political dialogue between the two countries has created agood foundation for them to advance their trade ties, he said, highlightingcommon perceptions in international issues and mutual support in the globalarena.
The guest said Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 will help to strengthenVietnam-Russia partnerships across spheres.
He used the occasion to congratulate Vietnam on its election as a non-permanentmember of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure,stressing the event is of significance to not only Vietnam but also the worldin maintaining regional and global peace and stability./.
VNA
