(VOVworld) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived in Minsk on Wednesday, beginning a three-day official visit to Belarus at the invitation of Prime Minister Mikhail Myiasnikovich. The visit aims to boost the two countries’ multifaceted cooperation, including increasing bilateral trade to one billion USD as set by an economic cooperation programme for 2013-2015. The visit also aims to speed up negotiations for a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.

During his visit to Russia earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with President Vladimir Putin in Sochi. During the meeting, Dung informed his host of the outcomes of the talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medveded and exchanged views on the real situation and orientations for bilateral cooperation in order to develop the strategic partnership in a practical and effective manner: “Vietnam appreciates Russia’s theory on foreign relations signed by the President in February 2013. Russia confirms that Vietnam continues to be its important partner and constantly boosts the strategic partnership with Vietnam”.

President Putin said that energy cooperation is one of top priorities between the two countries and Russia will actively continue oil and gas exploitation activities in Vietnam’s continental shelf as well as encourage the two countries’ joint ventures to expand cooperation in Russia.

As the Vietnamese Prime Minister concluded his  visit to Russia, both countries issued a joint communiqué, stressing that the visit helps boost the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.