Ha Noi, Nov. 19 (VNA) - Nguyen Van An, National Assembly Chairman and Valentin Kuptsov, Vice Chairman of the State Duma, Russia's lower house, have affirmed their wish to strengthen the cooperative ties between the two legislatures, thus boosting the comprehensive development of  bilateral ties for socio-economic development in their respective countries.

In a reception to Vice Chairman V. Kuptsov in Ha Noi on Friday, NA Chairman An stressed that on the basis of strategic partnership, political, economic, and commercial development cooperation between the two countries has seen remarkable progress.

Two-way trade value between the two countries reached 651.3 million USD in 2003, he said, adding that Russia is one of the top ten countries investing in Viet Nam.

The two countries have affirmed their determination to expand cooperation for mutual benefit in various fields such as oil and gas exploration and exploitation, energy, industry, agriculture, science and technology, military techniques, education and training, and culture.

Chairman An expressed thanks to Russia and its people for their support and assistance to the Vietnamese people's national construction and defence and their belief in the benefit of multi-faceted and positive cooperation between the two countries in the new stage.

Also on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan received Vice Chairman V. Kuptsov, and expressed his belief that the current visit to Viet Nam by members of the State Duma would further cement the traditional friendship and cooperation between the legislatures, Governments and people of the two countries and contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability and development in the region and the world as a whole.

Vice National Assembly Chairman Truong Quang Duoc had a working session with the delegation.

Phan Dien, Politburo member and Permanent Secretary of the Party Central Committee, received Vice Chairman V. Kuptsov and his entourage in Ha Noi the same afternoon.

For his part, Vice Chairman Kuptsov noted that Russia has always attached importance to its cooperative relations with Viet Nam, especially in economics, commerce, and investment.

He said he hoped that the Russia-Viet Nam cooperation would continue to be consolidated and expanded in many fields, meeting the aspirations and interests of the two countries.