The consultations took place within the context of Vietnam’s becoming a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Russian Federation’s speeding up the WTO negotiation process.

The Vietnamese delegation was headed by Deputy Minister Luong Van Tu while the Russian delegation was led by Medvedkov, who is Head of the Russian Economic Development and Trade Ministry’s Trade Negotiation Department.

The two sides discussed solutions relating to tariffs and non-tariff barriers, which are preventing Vietnamese enterprises from penetrating the Russian market.

They agreed that the initially achieved agreements basically meet the two countries’ aspirations for expansion of bilateral trade and economic ties.

The two sides expressed determination to solve some remaining technical problems so that they can reach an overall agreement at the earliest time. While receiving the Russian delegation, Minister of Trade Truong Dinh Tuyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong support for Russia’s early admission to the WTO and its wish to strengthen trade and economic relations with Russia within framework of traditional friendship and strategic partnership.