MINSK, 11 September (BelTA) – Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich and Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Vu Huy Hoang discussed matters concerning the preparation of the agreement on a free trade zone with Vietnam in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

Mikhail Myasnikovich stressed it is a phenomenon yet unseen. “It is the first time the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan is about to sign such a large-scale agreement with the international association ASEAN and directly with Vietnam in order to enable a free trade zone that will undoubtedly resolve a number of problems concerning customs and tariff regulations”.

The Belarusian head of government has already discussed these matters with Russia’s and Kazakhstan’s leadership. In the near future another meeting will be held for the heads of government of the Customs Union member states to discuss the free trade zone involving Vietnam among other things.

“Taking into account the decision made by the Customs Union heads of state to set up the Eurasian Economic Union by 2015 we should get the relevant agreement on the free trade zone prepared, signed, and ratified by that time,” noted Mikhail Myasnikovich.

The Belarusian head of government underlined that Vietnam is the number one partner in Southeastern Asia for Belarus in terms of trade turnover (about $200 million). “At the meeting with the Prime Minister of Vietnam we agreed that by 2015 we will raise the mutual trade turnover up to $500 million,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich. “It is a very high goal but I think the potential of our countries is sufficient for it”.

Mikhail Myasnikovich pointed out that Belarus and Vietnam are close to large-scale cooperation, namely the establishment of joint ventures that will be given modern European technologies and know-how. Negotiations on the free trade zone will open a new page in Belarus-Vietnam cooperation.

At the meeting in Minsk on 11 September the sides also talked over future steps that will allow stepping up the implementation of new projects within the framework of the bilateral cooperation.

The Belarusian head of government thanked the Industry and Trade Minister of Vietnam for his personal contribution to the formation of good relations between the two countries and active advancement of trade and economic relations.

The third round of talks on signing the agreement on a free trade zone between the Customs Union/Single Economic Space member states and Vietnam took place in Minsk on 9-13 September.