PM Phuc arrives in Moscow for Russia visit
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived at Vnukovo International Airport, Moscow, on May 16, to begin his official visit to Russia where he will attend the Russia-ASEAN Summit in Sochi.
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The visit is significant to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries as this is the first trip abroad by Nguyen Xuan Phuc as Vietnamese Prime Minister.
It takes place in the context that the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership is developing strongly in numerous fields such as politics, economics, defence security, science and technology, education and training, and culture.
The visit aims to realise Vietnam’s foreign policy set forth at the 12th National Party Congress and actualise a free trade agreement between the Southeast Asian country and the Eurasian Economic Union approved by President Vladimir Putin on May 1, gearing towards bilateral trade of US$10 billion in 2020.
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Currently Russia ranks 17 out of 101 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with a total capital of US$2 billion in 114 projects. Russian companies have mainly invested in mining, processing and the manufacturing industry in Vietnam.
Vietnamese companies have invested US$2.93 billion in Russia, mostly in oil and gas, and trade, with some big projects like Rusvietpetro, Gazpromviet and the Hanoi Trade Centre in Moscow.
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Meanwhile, the Commemorative Summit to mark the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-Russia dialogue relationship takes place amid positive progress in bilateral ties.
At the meeting, Russian and ASEAN leaders will discuss and draw up guidelines for strengthening the ASEAN-Russia Partnership and to make it more practical and effective in the future.
