Vietnam Government Portal, July 13rd, 2010

Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh (R) and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L), Moscow, July 9, 2010

Party leader Nông Đức Mạnh and President Dmitry Medvedev, in a trustful and open atmosphere, exchanged views on a wide range of aspects relating to the bilateral ties and regional and international issues of common concern.

The two sides noted that the visit made by the Vietnamese Party top leader took place on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic establishment between the two countries, the 35th anniversary of Vietnam'sNational Unification, and the 65th year anniversary of Russia’s Great Patriotic War.

The two leaders spoke highly of their socio-economic achievements, which help raise their prestige in the international forums.

The leaders agreed that the strategic partnership is a precious property of the two countries that should be further nurtured and expanded for the long-term benefits of the two peoples.

They defined stronger economic and trade cooperation as one of the key elements of the bilateral ties which are now becoming more and more dynamic and practical thanks to the expansion of other fields like energy, technique-military affairs, transport, telecommunications, science, and culture.

Thus, the two leaders stressed the importance of further intensified cooperation, focusing on trade in goods, investment, credit, and energy projects. Particularly, the two sides agreed to speed up negotiations for a free trade agreement.

The two sides committed to strengthening coordination for a more equal world.

Vietnam and the Russian Federation supported the international community’s efforts to address the global challenges like the global economic downturn, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The Joint Statement highlighted the central role of ASEAN in all regional mechanisms. The second Russian Federation-ASEAN Summit, scheduled in late October this year, is expected to lift the relations between Russia and the bloc to a new height./.