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