OREANDA-NEWS. December 15, 2009. The prospects of political and economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as the implementation of several joint projects, including in the energy sector, were the subject of discussion. Beginning of Meeting with Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung:

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA DMITRY MEDVEDEV: Dear Mr Prime Minister, I am glad to meet you and welcome you to Moscow, to the Kremlin.

Your initiative to make a working visit to our country is a reflection of both our strategic partnership and the desire of Vietnamese authorities to strengthen multifaceted ties with Russia.

I hope that during today's visit and the negotiations you will engage in, we will be able to bring our relations to a new level. We have much to talk about.

I must note that despite the economic crisis, our relations have not suffered. On the contrary, we are witnessing an increase in trade and have a number of major projects, both traditional and new ones in all areas. I hope we can move forward in this regard. Of course we will talk about other issues as well. I sincerely wish you and all the Vietnamese delegation success.

PRIME MINISTER OF VIETNAM NGUYEN TAN DUNG (as translated into Russian): Mr President, dear Russian friends,

I am very happy to meet with the President of Russia today – this is a great honour for me. On behalf of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the government, and the Vietnamese people, I sincerely congratulate the people of Russia on their recent great achievements. Thank you for finding the time to meet with me and the Vietnamese delegation and to welcome us in the Kremlin.

I would like to convey formal greetings from the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Mr Nong Duc Manh and President of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Triet.