Moscow (VNA) – Vietnam and Russia should step up their legislative ties through the exchange of information and experience in law-making and supervision ac♎tivities, said P♛rime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The Government leader made the suggestion at a meeting with Speaker of the Federation Council (Upper House) of Russia’s Parliament Valentina Matviyenko on May 17 as part of his official visit to the country. He noted with pleasure rapid changes and significant achievements Russian people have attained during national development, which are greatly attributable to the Federation Council led by Valentina Matviyenko. The PM conveyed National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan’s invitation to the Russian Speaker to visit Vietnam in 2016. Stressing the Russian Parliament’s backing for the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, Valentina Matviyenko said the legislative body has always approved agreements and recommendations of the Russian State and Government about fostering multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam. According to the Speaker, the council’s Russia-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group is working actively to help Russian ministries, agencies and localities actualise agreements with the Southeast Asian nation. She delivered her belief that high-level agreements reached during PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit will help deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership. Host and guest held that the bilateral relations have made big strides across fields and the two sides are implementing multiple strategic cooperation agreements, economically benefiting the two countries and elevating their role and position of in the region and the world at large. The same day, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited Gazprom , one of the largest oil and gas companies in Russia. Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller briefed the Vietnamese leader on his company’s operation as well as outcomes of cooperation with the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam). He said despite economic difficulties, the Russian State and Government have created optimal conditions for the oil and gas sector as well as collaboration with Vietnam in this field. For his part, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasised that energy cooperation is one of the major pillars of the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. The Vietnamese Government always creates the best possible conditions for Russian businesses, including Gazprom, to operate in the country, he said, noting his hope that the group will increase their investments in traditional realms like oil and gas exploration and exploitation and crude oil supply while expanding its presence in new spheres such as petrochemistry and producing gas materials to power auto engines. He wishes that the affiliation between PetroVietnam and Gazprom will thrive, contributing to socio-economic development in each nation as well as the time-honoured friendship between the two countries. While in Russia, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc also visited the Vietnamese Embassy, where he praise efforts of the diplomat and staff in beefing up relations between the two countries.-VNA