PM Dung asked both sides to make good preparations for Russian Prime Minister V. Putin’s visit to Vietnam in July while receiving Russian Deputy Foreign Minister A. Borodavkin in Hanoi on April 25.

The PM highlighted the outcomes of the regular political consultation at deputy foreign ministerial level between the two foreign ministries in Hanoi, which have made great contributions to the Vietnam-Russia strategic partnership.

He affirmed Vietnam’s willingness to accelerate the negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and member countries of the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Customs Alliance, which is expected to facilitate trade and investment activities and raise two-way trade to US$3 billion by 2012 and US$10 billion by 2020.

PM Dung said Vietnam is also ready to cooperate with Russia in aviation and space technology for peaceful purposes, as well as organising the APEC 2012 Summit.

Deputy FM Borodavkin said that during the consultation meeting, both sides discussed orientations and measures to enhance bilateral cooperation to accelerate the implementation of strategic cooperation projects, especially the project on construction of the first nuclear-power plant in Vietnam.

Both sides supported the continued expansion of cooperation on energy and the implementation of the two countries’ leaders’ guidelines.

During Deputy Foreign Minister Borodavkin’s visit to Vietnam from April 24-26, the Russian Deputy FM and his Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son conducted a political consultation.

The regular political consultation at deputy foreign ministerial level aimed to review situations and discuss measures to strengthen the traditional friendship and promote cooperation between the two countries in the context of the two nations celebrating the 10^th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

Both sides agreed that the Vietnam-Russia strategic partnership is developing in a strong and comprehensive manner.

The two deputy FMs highly valued the close cooperation between Vietnam and Russia at the United Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). 

Vietnam asked for Russia’s support in its bid for membership of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2013-2016 term and as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term and the Russians acknowledged Vietnam’s proposal.