Vietnamese PM keen to strengthen ties with Russia

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met Russia's Council of the Federal Assembly chairperson Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko here Tuesday, voicing wishes to enhance bilateral relations, Vietnam's government e-portal reported.

Matviyenko is visiting Vietnam from Monday to Wednesday.

In addition to existing cooperation in oil and gas, Vietnam will support Russia participating in energy and infrastructure projects in Vietnam, Phuc said, adding that the country wishes to enhance ties with Russia in defense and security.

Matviyenko said her country wants to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in trade and agriculture products and food, as well as areas that Russia has strengths, such as oil filtration, petrochemicals, liquefied petroleum.

The visiting Russian official showed respect to Vietnam's decision to end nuclear projects and said Russia wants to boost implementation of their bilateral agreement on a nuclear science and technology center in Vietnam.

This year Russian government will grant around 1,000 scholarships to Vietnamese students, Matviyenko said, affirming Russia's willingness to support teaching Russian language in Vietnam.

Source: Xinhua