Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev

(VOVworld) – The international media has given wide coverage to Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev’s ongoing visit to Vietnam. Major Russian news and media agencies such as Ria Novosti, Itar-Tass, and Interfax, have closely followed and reported on the visit, including the results of talks between Mr. Medvedev and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and his meetings with Vietnamese Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and President Truong Tan Sang. Ria Novosti said that Vietnam-Russia trade turnover had increased by 25% since 2011 and is expected to reach 7 billion USD in 2015. According to the agency, the two countries have concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.

Reuters also covered news relating to preparations between Hanoi and Moscow to sign an agreement on a free trade zone, and Russian Gazprom Neft’s plan to purchase 49% of the operator of Vietnam's Dung Quat refinery.

The Associated Press quoted Prime Minister Medvedev during his visit to Vietnam as saying that Russia - Vietnam annual two-way trade turnover is forecast to increase 4 fold to 10 billion USD by 2020.

The German newspaper Die Zeit reported on Monday that the Eurasian Economic Union wants to sign a free trade agreement with Vietnam and both sides have made important steps forward in this regard during the Russian Prime Minister’s visit. Die Zeit quoted Prime Minister Medvedev as saying that the first agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union with a third country would help Vietnam and Russia increase their cooperation in oil and gas, nuclear energy, and military technology.