The statement said during his visit, Mr Manh held talks with Russian President D. A. Medvedev and met with X.M. Mironov, Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia and the Just Russia party; Chairman of the State Duma and President of the Supreme Council of the United Russia Party B.V. Gryzlov; Deputy Prime Minister A. D. Dukov and Foreign Minister X.V. Lavorov. 

Russian President Medvedev took this opportunity to award General Secretary Manh the Puskin Medal, a high distinction by the Russian State, for his great contribution to cultural development. 

In their talks, the two leaders shared satisfaction at a recent development of bilateral relations. They said the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia had constantly been diversified and improved in all fields, especially in key areas, ranging from energy, including nuclear energy for the sake of peace, to petroleum, military technology, transport, telecommunications, education, science and culture. 

They emphasised the significance of the high-ranking meeting which took place during the celebrations of the 60^th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and called for stronger efforts to be made to broaden and diversify bilateral relations, focusing on trade, investment and credits.

They pointed out the need to speed up cooperation in oil and gas exploration and production inside Vietnam, Russia and the third countries. They called for stronger cooperation in power energy, including the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Vietnam and a nuclear research centre in the ASEAN country. 

The two leaders also agreed to boost negotiations for early signing of a free trade agreement between the two countries.

Host and guest made a positive evaluation of developments and prospects in military technology cooperation as well as in national defence and security. They supported broader cooperation in education and personnel training to meet an increasing demand by Vietnam for experts in hi-tech industries. 

The two leaders recognised practical contributions to strengthening and developing traditional relations and comprehensive cooperation by Vietnamese nationals now working and living in Russia and Russian expatriates in Vietnam. 

In regard to international issues, host and guest voiced strong protests against plots by certain groups calling for reconsideration of World War II history. These forces sowed doubts about the decisive role played by the former Soviet Union in the victory over fascism, which helped many nations in the world liberate themselves from colonialism and gain independence. 

Mr Medvedev spoke highly of Vietnam’s role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and mechanisms of cooperation in the region and the world as a whole including its participation in G20 in the capacity of ASEAN Chair. 

Both sides pledged to work close together within the G-20 framework on issues of mutual interest. 

Mr Manh emphasised important contributions made by Russia to building a system of strategic stability and international security and warmly welcomed the signing of a recent Russia-US treaty on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons. 

Host and guest reached a consensus on accelerating negotiations between Russia and the ASEAN in the interest of stability, mutual understanding and cooperation in Asia and the Pacific. They also said the second Russia-ASEAN summit scheduled to take place in Hanoi in October was to gear bilateral relations to a materially broader dimension in a good reflection of the increasing role played by Russia and the ASEAN in the Asian-Pacific region as well as positive contributions by the two sides in boosting regional alliance.

On the final day of his visit, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh met with Acting Governor of Saint Peterburg M.E. Oseevsky.

Acting Governor Oseevsky stressed that Mr Manh’s visit would contribute to improving cooperation between Russia and Vietnam, especially on the occasion of both countries celebrating the 60^th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He said the Saint Petersburg administration hailed the city’s cooperation with cities and provinces of Vietnam. 

The city has an institute of study for Vietnamese culture and history named after President Ho Chi Minh, he said.

During past years, Saint Petersburg set up close ties with Vietnamese localities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa province, and signed a series of cooperation documents.

Saint Peterburg exported energy equipment products to Vietnam and leaders of the city accepted an invitation to attend the millennium anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

General Secretary Manh said that in recent years, Russia in general and St. Petersburg in particular provided training for Vietnamese personnel.

In ties between Vietnam and Russia, cooperation between localities, particularly between Saint Peterburg and Ho Chi Minh City saw progress, he said.

He asked the Russian city’s leaders to continue encouraging their relevant agencies to promote cooperation programmes under agreements reached by both cities.

Earlier, General Secretary Manh visited Saint Petersburg Forestry Technology Institute, where he presented three friendship orders and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem presented three friendship medals to staff and lecturers of the institute for their contributions to Vietnam’s human resource training.

He sent a message to Russian President D. Medvedev, thanking leaders and people of Russia for their warm welcome.

He expressed his belief that with the desire and resolve of both sides manifested in the Vietnam-Russia joint statement and other agreements reached by the countries’ leaders, the traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership will be lifted to a new height for the benefit of both peoples, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia-Pacific and the world.