Russian President Begins Official Visit to VietnamRussian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday evening arrived in Hanoi for a three-day official visit to Vietnam.The visit, at the invitation of Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong, is aimed at further promoting traditional friendly relations and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Russia. The Russian president is scheduled to hold talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Duc Luong, meet with Vietnamese Party leader Le Kha Phieu, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and Chairman of Vietnam's National Assembly Nong Duc Manh. During the visit, Putin and his Vietnamese hosts will exchange views on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual concern. The two countries are expected to sign a joint statement on the Vietnam-Russia strategic partnership, a protocol to review already- signed agreements for adjustment in line with new changes, and a number of agreements for economic, commercial, scientific and technical cooperation. Vietnam is the second leg of Putin's Asia tour, which already took him to South Korea. |
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