At the reception, Professor Vladimir Mikhalovic from St. Petersburg University and other businesses briefed Mr Triet on their activities in Russia and the establishment of joint venture companies with Vietnamese partners.

Prof. Mikhalovic affirmed that his university is willing to receive Vietnamese students and to expand educational cooperation with Vietnam.

Russian businesses expressed their desire to contribute to raising the two-way trade value between the two countries to US$3 billion in 2010 and US$10 billion in 2015 as agreed upon during Mr Triet’s visit to Russia last October.

They said that besides mutual benefit, economic cooperation will help strengthen the long-standing relationship between Russia and Vietnam.

For his part, Mr Triet valued Russia’s increasing role, helping to maintain peace and stability in the region and the world as a whole. He thanked the former Soviet Union and present-day Russia for their whole-hearted support and valuable assistance to Vietnam during the past two wars of resistance and the current process of national construction and development.

According to the President, Vietnam and Russia should increase cooperation in economics, trade, education, science-technology, culture and social affairs.

“Vietnam wants to boost comprehensive cooperation with Russia and it will create the best possible conditions for Russian businesses to invest in the country,” said Mr Triet.

VietNamNet/VOV