The statement was made by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at a reception in Hanoi on October 20 for the visiting Russian Minister of Industry and Trade, Victor Khristenko, who is in Hanoi for a meeting of the Vietnam-Russia Inter-Governmental Committee.

The PM was briefed on the Russian minister’s talks with Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang where both agreed upon ways and means to strengthen relations in economics, trade and investment.

The Vietnamese leader expressed satisfaction at the practical and wide-ranging developments in the two countries’ traditional relationship and reiterated that Vietnam always attaches importance to its traditional friendship and strategic partnership with Russia.

He suggested that both sides should closely coordinate in carrying out the agreements that were reached at this Inter-governmental Committee meeting, and in particular, removing difficulties that are hindering bilateral cooperation projects.

The Russian guest told his host that the visit offers him a chance to witness the effective implementation of the previously agreed cooperative deals in economics, trade, investment, energy, education and training.

He said during this Inter-governmental Committee meeting, the two sides signed an action plan to boost their economies, two-way trade and investment through 2012. This action plan also details prioritised tasks for the Vietnam-Russia strategic partnership to be undertaken annually.

According to the Russian minister, hi-tech and energy cooperation was a bright spot in the two countries’ relationship in 2009.