Excerpts from the transcript:
Dmitry Medvedev and Nguyen Xuan Phuc make statements for the press
Nguyen Xuan Phuc (via interpreter): Mr Prime Minister, friends and the media,
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Vietnam, I would like to say that we are delighted to be able to meet with Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev within the framework of his official visit to Vietnam. First and foremost, I would like to once again congratulate Mr Medvedev on his appointment as Prime Minister. Mr Medvedev is a good friend of Vietnam and has known and has been closely connected with Vietnam for years. We are glad that we will be able to continue working with Mr Medvedev to strengthen our ties between Vietnam and Russia so that they will develop even more energetically and productively in the interests of our countries.
We had very fruitful talks during which we analysed the results of our bilateral cooperation and discussed and coordinated the common areas and practical measures for the continued build-up of Russian-Vietnamese cooperation in all spheres. We agree with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on the assessment of the special relations of comprehensive strategic partnership that have developed between our two countries. We believe that our confidential political relations, a regular dialogue we maintain at all levels, including between our leaders, parties, governments and parliaments, as well as multifaceted cultural relations and ties between our people, including young people, as well as our interaction on the international stage, constitute a solid foundation for the further strengthening of comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. In this connection, we would like to express our appreciation of the outcome of the recent official visit by President and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong to Russia. That visit provided a powerful boost to the development of our bilateral cooperation in all spheres.
Dmitry Medvedev: Comrade Nguyen Xuan Phuc, colleagues, media representatives,
To begin with, I would like to thank my counterpart, the prime minister of Vietnam, for his warm words about myself, my colleagues, and the Government of the Russian Federation.
Comrade Nguyen Xuan Phuc and I have held quite meaningful and productive talks, discussed all pressing bilateral matters, and focused on all components of this cooperation – political, trade, investment and humanitarian. We also talked about the implementation of all joint projects.
Russia and Vietnam are linked by traditions of friendship, mutual sympathy and support that go back years. During these talks, we have again made certain that our two countries intend to consistently promote a comprehensive strategic partnership between us at all levels. Not so long ago, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong paid a very successful visit to Russia, Russian Prime Minister is on a visit to Vietnam right now, and parliamentary and party contacts and visits continue, all of which creates a transparent fabric of relations between our countries.
Allow me to say a few words about the economy. About trade and economic cooperation. The free trade agreement, which we signed with Vietnam (this was the first such agreement) made it possible to increase trade to very significant amounts. Last year, it grew by almost 30%, and it is growing well this year. So, we will continue to pursue this course, we will continue to diversify the trade pattern, we will increase the share of high-technology products, and we will engage in all fields of cooperation – industry, infrastructure, transport, communications and telecommunications. We will also work on developing ties in the agro-industrial sector. We will continue practicing the use of national currencies in payments within the context of foreign economic operations. All these matters were on the agenda of the talks.
I would like to note in particular the cooperation between Russian and Vietnamese energy companies. We hope that these ties will be strengthened. For this, we will create favourable conditions for the implementation of joint projects and new projects involving Gazprom, Rosneft, Zarubezhneft, PetroVietnam, as well as other companies.
It is of importance that, apart from the economy and politics, where we traditionally have very good relations, the same can be said about ties between people. Our two peoples have developed a sincere interest towards each other and the history of our countries, and they seek to get to know each other. The best manifestation of this is the growth of the outward-bound tourist flows, as well as educational and humanitarian projects that permeate our cooperation throughout decades. This level of mutual relationship and cooperation also makes it possible to maintain regional ties. The Year of Russia in Vietnam and the Year of Vietnam in Russia will be held next year. We are making preparations for this event and I am confident that we will pay special attention to this matter.
I would like once again to thank my colleague Comrade Nguyen Xuan Phuc and all our Vietnamese friends and colleagues for the friendly and constructive talks. I am confident that they will serve to strengthen the Russian-Vietnamese partnership. Thank you very much for your hospitality and the fine words about the Russian delegation. Thank you!
