(VOVworld) - President Truong Tan Sang had a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Manila, the Philippines, on Wednesday on the sideline of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting. 

President Truong Tan Sang (L) meets Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Manila on Nov. 18 (Photo: VNA)

The leaders lauded the substantial strides made in the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in 2015, especially the signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, of which Russia is a member. They said the pact has reinforced economic ties between the two countries and created a new momentum for Russia and the Union’s stronger connectivity with the ASEAN Community.
President Truong Tan Sang said it is necessary to intensify and effectively implement all aspect of the nations’ comprehensive strategic partnership, asking Russia to urge other members of the Eurasian Economic Union to ratify the FTA as soon as possible. 
At the meeting, the two sides were unanimous in fostering bilateral cooperation in a more result-oriented fashion, especially in energy, oil and gas, and payment activities so as to facilitate their trade. The Vietnamese leader asked Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to support Vietnam in its hosting of APEC events in 2017.
Also on Wednesday, President Sang met with Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos to explore ways to deepen bilateral collaboration.