Russian FM to visits Vietnam; Vietnamese, Laotian National Assembly officials meet; Vietnamese, Chinese armies promote cooperation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov will pay an official visit to Vietnam from July 24-26.

The two diplomats will hold talks on measures to strengthen the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. They will also exchange views on regional and world issues of mutual concern.

During his stay, Mr Lavrov is scheduled to meet with State President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and leaders of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association. He will also visit some economic centres in Vietnam.

Mr Lavrov’s visit takes place at a time when the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia has developed strongly in many fields, especially following visits to Russia by State President Nguyen Minh Triet in October 2008 and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong in April 2009. Both countries are actively implementing the high-level agreements reached by their top leaders.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Russia reached US$1.64 billion in 2008 and US$331 million in the first quarter of this year.

Russia wants to promote cooperation with Vietnam in its potential areas such as energy, oil and gas, exploration and exploitation of mineral ores.

Vietnamese, Laotian National Assembly officials meet

A five-day workshop to review the cooperation process and lay down work plans between the two National Assembly (NA) offices of Vietnam and Laos opened in the central city of Da Nang on July 22.

Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong, local officials and representatives of the Lao Consulate General to Da Nang were present at the event.

Participants in the workshop assessed the implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two NA offices. They also exchanged their opinions on how to effectively assist activities of NA and NA deputies.

The two sides proposed measures to boost cooperation in the near future, including organising study tours, workshops and forums.

Efforts to assist parliamentary delegations from both countries at international and regional forums as well as boosting and supervising the implementation of international agreements and treaties were also highlighted at the workshop, which is scheduled to last until July 26.

Vietnamese, Chinese armies promote cooperation

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will do its utmost to cement the Sino-Vietnamese friendship to meet the common interests and aspirations of the two nations.

Li Jinai, Director of the General Political Department of the PLA, made the statement while receiving Nguyen Tuan Dung, deputy director of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) in Beijing on July 22.

Mr Li said that the PLA will work closely with the VPA to expand their cooperation in harmony with the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between China and Vietnam.

For his part, Mr Dung emphasized that Vietnam always attaches great importance to strengthening relations between the two armies, considering it one of the key tasks in its foreign policy.

Vietnam is also willing to increase bilateral cooperation with China in other areas, said Mr Dung.

The same day, Mr Dung also met with Liu Yongzhi, deputy director of the General Political Department.

VietNamNet/VOV