The Speaker of the National Assembly receives representatives of several large enterprises from the Russian Federation.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man received Vitaly Markelov, Vice President of Gazprom Group, and Leonid Minkhelson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Novatek Group.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man receives Mr. Vitaly Markelov, Vice President of Gazprom Group. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

Continuing his official visit to the Russian Federation, at noon on September 10th (local time), National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with the Vice President of Gazprom, Vitaly Markelov.

Speaking at the meeting, the Speaker of the National Assembly stated that in recent times, Gazprom, a powerful energy corporation of the Russian Federation, has effectively cooperated with the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) in the fields of oil and gas, production, and energy exploitation.

Highly appreciating the joint venture between the two corporations, which has successfully implemented projects in both the Russian Federation and Vietnam, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirmed that Vietnam always protects the legitimate rights of investors. The National Assembly and the Government always stand alongside foreign businesses, ensuring their stable and long-term operation in Vietnam.

According to the Speaker of the National Assembly, strengthening cooperation and linkages will contribute to ensuring the interests of both sides, bringing the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation to even more substantive results.

Emphasizing the enormous potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Russia, but noting that bilateral trade turnover in the first six months of 2024 only reached approximately US$2.7 billion, the Chairman of the National Assembly stated that cooperation in oil and gas projects would contribute to realizing the goal of increasing bilateral trade turnover to US$10 billion by 2030. Energy is one of the key areas of cooperation in the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the Russian Federation; therefore, it needs to be promoted more strongly in the future.

Gazprom Vice President Vitaly Markelov thanked the Vietnamese National Assembly for its support in promoting cooperation between the Group and the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group in the fields of exploration, production, and scientific and technical research. The Group wishes to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam, including the supply of LNG to serve Vietnam's socio-economic development needs.

The leaders of Gazprom Group expressed their readiness to share experience with partners, including Petrovietnam, in oil and gas exploration and production; and expressed confidence that the visit of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man will further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

Later that same day (local time), during a meeting with Novatek Group, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man stated that in the context of the rapidly changing and complex global and regional situation, both sides need to seize opportunities to cooperate effectively and efficiently, bringing benefits to businesses and strengthening cooperative relations between the two countries.

The Speaker of the National Assembly affirmed that the Russian Federation is a leading comprehensive strategic partner in Vietnam's foreign policy.

The Chairman of the National Assembly expressed his pleasure upon learning that the Vietnam National Petroleum Group and Novatek Group had exchanged a memorandum of cooperation in Vietnam; and stated that the Government is submitting to the National Assembly amendments to the Electricity Law to build a synchronized, competitive, transparent energy market, diversify ownership forms and business methods, and create favorable conditions for domestic and foreign investors to produce and trade in this sector.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man receives Mr. Leonid Minkhelson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Novatek Group. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

The Chairman of the National Assembly affirmed that Vietnam is always interested in promoting cooperation with the Russian Federation in economic, trade, and investment fields, including the oil and gas sector of Novatek Group. The Chairman requested that corporations and businesses comply with Vietnamese and international laws to create a transparent, open, and sustainable business environment; and expressed confidence that Novatek Group and the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group will soon have business plans and strategies in place.

Thanking National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man for taking the time to meet, a representative of Novatek Group stated that the Group was established in 1994 with its main business being the exploration, production, and processing of natural gas and liquefied hydrocarbons. The Group is known as the largest independent natural gas producer in Russia. Over the past years, the Group has collaborated with Vietnamese corporations and businesses in liquefied natural gas projects in Vietnam.

Representatives from Novatek Group expressed their hope that the Vietnamese National Assembly and Government would continue to improve the legal system, creating favorable conditions for businesses to invest and operate in Vietnam.

Also on the afternoon of September 10th, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha witnessed the signing ceremony of documents between several Vietnamese and Russian businesses.

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