They summed up last year's contacts to highlight certain progress. Nevertheless, Russian-Vietnamese trade is far below either country's potential and wishes, with an approximate US$650 million turnover last year, pointed out the negotiators.
The Vice-Premiers agreed on practical contacts in banking, capital investment, petroleum, gas, engineering and automotive industries, telecommunications and certain other economic spheres.
The bilateral commission held session to discuss research and cultural partnership, joint intellectual property protection, and Russian-based companies' prospects to step up capital investment in Vietnam. The commission intends to sign a summing-up protocol tomorrow.
Phan Van Khai, Vietnamese Prime Minister, received Mr. Khristenko today, and displayed enthusiasm with Russian plans to increase the number of scholarships for Vietnamese under-and postgraduate students.
