Vladivostok (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister TrinhDinh Dung and his Russian counterpart Maxim Akimov agreed that oil and gascooperation bears strategic significance to Vietnam – Russia relations at theirmeeting on September 5 on the sidelines of the ongoing 5th Eastern EconomicForum (EEF). 

The two officials took the occasion to exchange theiropinions on the implementation of the two countries’ joint projects and agreements.

They shared the view that bilateral cooperation is going smoothlyacross all fields and highlighted the need for effective measures to capitalizeon the potential of both countries and of the Eurasian Economic Union – VietnamFree Trade Agreement toward realizing the 10-billion-USD bilateral trade goalin 2020.

Dung affirmed that Vietnam welcomes Russia’s oil and gascompanies to carry out exploration and exploitation activities in the country’scontinental shelf in line with international law, including the 1982 UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He asked the Russian Government to facilitate Vietnamesejoint ventures’ involvement in new oilfields in Russia’s territory.

Both Deputy PMs reached consensus on the need to promptlyremove difficulties arising in bilateral cooperation in traditional sectors andexpand bilateral engagements to new potential areas like digital economy,e-government building, infrastructure development, and aviation.

They agreed to hold the 22nd meeting of theVietnam – Russia Intergovernmental Committee in early October this year.

Concluding their meeting, the officials witnessed thesigning of an MoU on cooperation between the Vietnamese and Russianconstruction ministries and another MoU between Vietjet Air and Russia’sVladivostok International Airport (VVO) on the early opening of a direct airroute between Vietnam’s Cam Ranh city and Russia’s Vladivostok city.-VNA