(VOVworld) – After the official welcoming ceremony on Monday, talks were held between visiting National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and Chairperson of the Russian Federation Council Valentina Matvienko. Hung said Russia is Vietnam’s top partner and that Vietnam supports Russia’s expanded influence and relations in the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asian region. He suggested that both sides continue to exchange high-level delegations and diversify bilateral ties through increased cooperation between parties, parliaments, ministries, branches, localities, businesses and the people. Hung expressed his hope that the Russian Federation help Vietnam’s National Assembly with the training of deputies and staff.

Chairperson of the Russian Federation Council Matvienko proposed that both parliaments further coordinate in international forums to maintain peace, and stability in the world. She added that both countries’ legislative bodies need to strongly support the signing of more bilateral trade agreements, paving the way for further economic activities and exchanges between the two countries. Chairperson Matvienko said that Vietnam and Russia need to boost cooperation in education, training and tourism.

After the talks, both leaders held a media briefing. NA Chairman Hung said: “We have agreed to push forward with our comprehensive strategic partnership and special friendship between our two countries. The relationship should be strengthened at central and local levels. We wish to increase two-way trade between Vietnam and Russia from the current 3 billion USD to 7 billion USD by 2015 and to more than 10 billion USD by 2020.”

On Monday evening, Chairman Hung met the Chairman of the Russian State Duma Sergey Nayshkin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.