ISTANBUL

Russia and Vietnam on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding on developing nuclear energy cooperation during a two-day visit by the Russian prime minister to the Southeast Asian nation.

A statement by the Russian government said the memorandum between Moscow’s state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom and Hanoi’s sole state power company Vietnam Electricity is one of seven documents signed between the two sides.

The signing of the document came during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. He also held talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

This is Mishustin's first visit to Vietnam and also the first visit to the Southeast Asian nation by any foreign leader this year.

During a meeting prior to the signing of the documents, Mishustin described Vietnam as an important partner of Russia in Southeast Asia, saying that they prioritize increasing trade and economic cooperation.

“Mutual trade turnover is growing steadily. It increased by 24% last year. Including thanks to the implementation of the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam,” Mishustin further said.

He also said bilateral cooperation in the energy sector plays a strategic role, and that they also have good opportunities to expand cooperation in the field of nuclear energy.

“We support the construction of the Center for Nuclear Science and Technology in Vietnam. And, of course, we are interested in expanding cooperation in the transport and logistics sector,” the Russian prime minister said.

For his part, the Vietnamese premier said Mishustin’s visit is a great opportunity for the two countries to check how they are implementing the agreements reached at the highest level, as well as to outline their plans for the future.

Mishustin later held talks with To Lam, the general secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party, and Tran Thanh Man, the chairman of the country’s National Assembly.

The Russian premier is also scheduled to meet President Luong Cuong during the visit.

Last June, Russia and Vietnam signed 15 documents aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation following a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and To Lam, who was then president.