Vietnam will unilaterally grant entry visa exemption to Russian citizens for visits of 15 days or less from January 1, 2009.

Triet proposed the establishment of a joint Vietnam-Russia university and his Russian counterpart agreed.

Triet also proposed that Russia reciprocate by facilitating the entry of Vietnamese nationals into Russia.

Medvedev supported Triet’s proposals and pledged that Russia would actively support and create favorable and long-term conditions for Vietnamese citizens to live, study and work in Russia.

The two leaders noted that economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam and Russia have developed extensively and agreed to expand cooperation in oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, mining, banking and telecommunication sectors.

Following the talks, Triet and Medvedev witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation documents between the two countries, including agreements on bilateral cooperation in intellectual property protection, the prevention of illegal immigration, repatriation of citizens, and a protocol on the implementation of this agreement.

The two governments also signed an agreement on temporary working visits by Vietnamese citizens to Russia and Russian citizens to Vietnam; and agreed to continue their cooperation in oil and gas exploration and exploitation through the Vietnam-Russia oil and gas joint venture enterprise, Vietsovpetro, as well as a medium-term joint action plan addressing trade and investment until 2012.

The two sides also signed an agreement on cooperation in the sharing of information between the Vietnam News Agency and Russia’s ITAR-TASS, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in an investment project to build a bauxite and aluminum mining and processing complex in Vietnam.

Source: VNA