Minnikhanov suggests Vietnam open Consulate General in Kazan - press service

KAZAN. June 16 (Interfax) - Tatarstani leader Rustam Minnikhanov has proposed that Vietnam open a Consulate General in Kazan at his meeting with the country's Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, the Tatarstani leader's press service said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Vietnam's opening a Consulate General in Kazan would help take our contacts to a whole new level," Minnikhanov was quoted in the statement as saying.

Tatarstan attaches great importance to developing cooperation with Vietnam as part of the traditionally friendly Russian-Vietnamese relations, he said. High-tech products made in Tatarstan - cars, vessels, helicopters - are well known in Vietnam, he said.

"This work is yielding fruit. Last year our trade rose markedly, having almost doubled to $63 million," Minnikhanov said.

He also talked about the region's industrial potential and, separately, about the work of the best special economic zones. Tatarstan sees a big potential for developing ties with Vietnamese companies in areas such as oil refining, petrochemistry, energy, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, car and parts production, information technology and other high technologies, he said.

The meeting concluded with the Tatarstani leader suggesting that the Russian-Vietnamese Intergovernmental Commission hold one of its next meetings in Tatarstan.

For his part, the Vietnamese prime minister thanked him for the warm reception.

"From the first steps of our visit to Kazan we have felt care and attention. Thank you. This is the first time that our delegation of such composition visits Tatarstan," Le Minh Hung was quoted in the statement as saying.

Hopefully, the Russia-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kazan will strengthen Russia's cooperation with ASEAN countries, he said.

The prime minister is in Kazan to attend the Russia-ASEAN summit due to be held in Kazan on June 17-19.