Viet Nam and the Russian Federation have issued a joint communiqué following an official visit to the Russian Federation by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung.

The joint communiqué runs as follows:

1. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung of Viet Nam paid an official visit to the Russian Federation from September 9-12, 2007, at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Ephimovich Fradkov.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, held talks with Prime Minister Mikhail Ephimovich Fradkov and met with leaders of the Federation Council and the State Duma Valentin Kuptsov and Dmitry Mezentsev.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung attended a Viet Nam-Russia business forum and laid wreaths at the monument to unknown martyrs, the V.I. Lenin Mausoleum and the Ho Chi Minh Monument. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung also visited St. Petersburg and met with Municipal Governor V.I. Matvienko.

During the visit, the two sides signed a number of pacts, including a supplementary protocol to the inter-governmental agreement on the Vietsovpetro joint venture inked in 1991, a cooperation plan between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2007-2008, a deal between the Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Zarubezhneft to establish a joint venture in Russia, a cooperation agreement between Khanh Hoa province and St. Petersburg and several contracts in the fields of telecommunications, finance, mechanic engineering, machinery manufacturing, construction, and import and export.

2. The talks and meetings took place in a friendly and frank atmosphere. Leaders of the two governments exchanged views on the promotion and diversification of Viet Nam-Russian Federation relations and reviewed the implementation of prioritised tasks to beef up the strategic partnership in 2007. They informed each other on the situation in their respective countries and discussed international issues of mutual concern.

Russia appreciated Viet Nam’s renewal policy as well as its dynamic role and increasing prestige in the international arena, and supported Viet Nam’s candidacy for non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.

Viet Nam applauded Russia’s achievements in national reforms and construction as well as its enhanced position in the international arena, greatly contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world as a whole.

3. Leaders of the two governments emphasised the historical importance of the agreement on basic principles for Viet Nam-Russia friendly relations signed on June 16, 1994, and the joint statement on the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation that was reached on March 1, 2001.

The two sides expressed their resolve to boost and expand long-term coordination in the fields of politics, economy-trade, science-technology, military affairs, culture and education on the basis of equality and mutual benefits in the interest of both nations and for development and prosperity in Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific and the world.

The Governments of Viet Nam and Russia agreed to complete legal foundations for bilateral cooperation in line with requirements of the current era and their interests.

4. Leaders of the Vietnamese and Russian Governments agreed on the need for stronger inspection to ensure on-schedule and efficient implementation of agreements already signed between ministries and sectors of the two nations, with priority given to the fulfillment of tasks of the Viet Nam-Russia Inter-government Committee for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation and its sub-committees.

5. The two sides affirmed their determination to fully implement agreements stated in the joint statement on continued cooperation in geological exploration and oil and gas exploitation that was signed in Ha Noi on November 20, 2006, between Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Leaders of the Vietnamese and Russian Governments confirmed support for initiatives by organisations of the two countries regarding the implementation of large-scale joint projects in the fields of fuel and energy, mining, metallurgy and telecommunications using the latest modern technology.

The Governments of Viet Nam and Russia agreed to expand long-term cooperation in economy, trade and investment and back efforts of the two countries’ Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Viet Nam-Russia Business Council to assist enterprises in establishing direct relations, organising fairs and exhibitions, studying markets and seeking effective ways to boost trade and investment ties.

The Governments of Viet Nam and Russia would encourage their localities to expand their contacts with emphasis on practical results from these relations.

6. The two sides acknowledged contributions made by Russian nationals in Viet Nam and Vietnamese nationals in Russia to fortifying the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries; pledged to continue creating favourable conditions for them to live, work and study in Viet Nam and Russia in accordance with Vietnamese and Russian laws; and agreed to expand labour cooperation.

7. The two sides shared the same interest in boosting bilateral ties in tourism, culture and sports and noted the importance of Vietnamese and Russian Culture Days as well as Moscow and Ha Noi Days to increasing mutual understanding between the people of Viet Nam and Russia.

The Governments of Viet Nam and Russia placed importance on increasing the contacts between social organisations of the two countries, particularly between the young generations.

8. The Government of Viet Nam supported the Russian Federation’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The two sides agreed to continue coordination within international economic and financial mechanisms of which both Viet Nam and Russia are members, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

9. The two sides held that Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to the Russian Federation contributed greatly to strengthening and diversifying the Viet Nam-Russia strategic partnership, and facilitating the signing of specific cooperation deals in many areas.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung expressed his thanks to Russia for its warm reception and hospitality and invited Prime Minister M.E. Fradkov to visit Viet Nam again. The Russian Prime Minister accepted the invitation with pleasure. (VNA)