JOINT COMMUNIQUE BETWEEN VIỆT NAM AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

1. Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng of Việt Nam paid an official visit to the Russian Federation from September 9-12, 2007, at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Ephimovich Fradkov.
Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, held talks with Prime Minister Mikhail Ephimovich Fradkov and met with leaders of the Federation Council and the State Duma Valentin Kuptsov and Dmitry Mezentsev.
PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng attended a Việt Nam-Russia trade and investment promotion forum and laid wreaths at the monument to unknown martyrs, the V.I. Lenin Mausoleum and the Hồ Chí Minh Monument. PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng also visited St. Petersburg and met with Municipal Governor V.I. Matviyenko.
During the visit, the two sides signed a number of pacts, including a supplementary protocol to the inter-governmental agreement on the Vietsovpetro joint venture inked in 1991, a cooperation plan between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2007-2008, a deal between the Việt Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Zarubezhneft to establish a joint venture in Russia, a cooperation agreement between Khánh Hoa province and St. Petersburg and several contracts in the fields of telecommunications, finance, mechanic engineering, machinery manufacturing, construction, and import and export.
2. The talks and meetings took place in a friendly and frank atmosphere. Leaders of the two governments exchanged views on the promotion and diversification of Việt Nam-Russian Federation relations and reviewed the implementation of prioritized tasks to beef up the strategic partnership in 2007. They informed each other on the situation in their respective countries and discussed international issues of mutual concern.
Russia appreciated Việt Nam’s renewal policy as well as its dynamic role and increasing prestige in the international arena, and supported Việt Nam’s candidacy for non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.
Việt Nam applauded Russia’s achievements in national reforms and construction as well as its enhanced position in the international arena, greatly contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world as a whole.
3. Leaders of the two governments emphasized the historical importance of the agreement on basic principles for Viet Nam-Russia friendly relations signed on June 16, 1994, and the joint statement on the strategic partnership between Việt Nam and the Russian Federation that was reached on March 1, 2001.
The two sides expressed their resolve to boost and expand long-term coordination in the fields of politics, economy-trade, science-technology, military affairs, culture and education on the basis of equality and mutual benefits in the interest of both nations and for development and prosperity in Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific and the world.
The Governments of Việt Nam and Russia agreed to complete legal foundations for bilateral cooperation in line with requirements of the current era and their interests.
4. Leaders of the Vietnamese and Russian Governments agreed on the need for stronger inspection to ensure on-schedule and efficient implementation of agreements already signed between ministries and sectors of the two nations, with priority given to the fulfillment of tasks of the Việt Nam-Russia Inter-government Committee for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation and its sub-committees.
5. The two sides affirmed their determination to fully implement agreements stated in the joint statement on continued cooperation in geological exploration and oil and gas exploitation that was signed in Hà Nội on November 20, 2006, between Vietnamese President Nguyễn Minh Triết and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Leaders of the Vietnamese and Russian Governments confirmed support for initiatives by organizations of the two countries regarding the implementation of large-scale joint projects in the fields of fuel and energy, mining, metallurgy and telecommunications using the latest modern technology.
The Governments of Việt Nam and Russia agreed to expand long-term cooperation in economy, trade and investment and back efforts of the two countries’ Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Việt Nam-Russia Business Council to assist enterprises in establishing direct relations, organizing fairs and exhibitions, studying markets and seeking effective ways to boost trade and investment ties.
The Governments of Việt Nam and Russia would encourage their localities to expand their contacts with emphasis on practical results from these relations.
6. The two sides acknowledged contributions made by Russian nationals in Việt Nam and Vietnamese nationals in Russia to fortifying the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries; pledged to continue creating favorable conditions for them to live, work and study in Việt Nam and Russia in accordance with Vietnamese and Russian laws; and agreed to expand labor cooperation.
7. The two sides shared the same interest in boosting bilateral ties in tourism, culture and sports and noted the importance of Vietnamese and Russian Culture Days as well as Moscow and Hà Nội Days to increasing mutual understanding between the people of Việt Nam and Russia.
The Governments of Việt Nam and Russia placed importance on increasing the contacts between social organizations of the two countries, particularly between the young generations.
8. The Government of Việt Nam supported the Russian Federation’s bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). The two sides agreed to continue coordination within international economic and financial mechanisms of which both Việt Nam and Russia are members, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
9. The two sides held that PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng’s visit to the Russian Federation contributed greatly to strengthening and diversifying the Việt Nam-Russia strategic partnership, and facilitating the signing of specific cooperation deals in many areas.
PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng expressed his thanks to Russia for its warm reception and hospitality and invited Prime Minister M.E. Fradkov to visit Việt Nam again. The Russian Prime Minister accepted the invitation with pleasure.