Russian President's visit is expected to bring bilateral relations to a new level
(VOVworld) - President Truong Tan Sang has granted an interview to Russian Itar-tass news agency and Kommersant newspaper prior to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Vietnam beginning on Tuesday. President Sang said that the visit will bring bilateral ties to a new level. He stressed that the traditional friendship and mutual support are the solid foundation for the two countries’ 60-year relationship. Vietnam and Russia became strategic partners in 2012, laying the foundation for comprehensive cooperation and increased political trust.
Two-way turnover between Vietnam and Russia has increased steadily. It reached 2.45 billion USD in 2012 and 2.4 billion USD in the first 9 months of this year. The two sides are negotiating the signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Alliances which includes Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. This agreement is expected to bring bilateral trade to 7 billion USD by 2015.
President Sang said that the government and people of Vietnam consider President Putin’s visit an important event in bilateral ties. During the visit, the leaders will review bilateral cooperation in all areas, particularly the implementation of strategic projects in investment, oil and gas, nuclear power and discuss future plans. They will also discuss regional and global issues of mutual concern and cooperation between Vietnam and Russia within the United Nations and their coordination in APEC and ASEAN-based organizations such as the Asia Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit and ASEM.