Russian, Vietnamese presidents agree on reciprocal visits

LIMA, November 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has noted positive development of the Russian-Vietnamese relations despite difficulties in the world economy at his meeting with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Peru’s capital Lima. The two leaders agreed to make reciprocal visits. "I am pleased to note how our interstate ties based on traditions of friendship, mutual support and help are developed," Putin said. "In the economy, we focus on such sectors as high-technology, cooperation in defense and technology and other aspects." "In spite of difficulties in the world’s economy, trade between our countries has increased by 5% in nine months of the current year," he said. Also, Russia’s head of state mentioned "a milestone event" (as he put it), or the signing of a free trade agreement by Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union. "Vietnam has become the first country that was offered simplified access to the markets of Russia and its partner nations," Putin said. Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang said that he quite agrees with Putin’s view on relations of Russia and Vietnam. "We are delighted to cooperate with you and with Russian friends so as to boost our ties that are traditionally friendly," Tran Dai Quang told Putin. Vietnam’s head of state spoke about positive shifts in the economy, investments, cooperation in defense, science and education. "Political confidence is on the rise between our countries," he added. Vietnam will host the 2017 APEC summit, Tran Dai Quang said. "I would like to invite you to come to the summit and simultaneously, pay an official bilateral visit to our country," he said. Putin accepted the invitation with words of gratitude and in his turn invited the Vietnamese president to Moscow. The talks with Vietnam’s president have been first for Putin on the sidelines of the APEC summit. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, Far East Development Minister Aleksander Galushka, Deputy Economic Development Minister Stanislav Voskresensky, Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller and Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin were present at the meeting. Saturday’s meeting has become the first for Putin and Tran Dai Quang, who was elected Vietnam’s president in April. The free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam came in force on October 5, 2016. APEC is an international forum bringing together 21 leading economies of the world for cooperation on trade and economic development of the region. Creating the system of free and open trade and a liberal investment regime in the Asia-Pacific region has been declared the main task for APEC until the year 2020. Peru’s capital Lima plays host to the 2016 APEC summit on November 19-20. Read more