The Party and State highly appreciated the contribution of the Joint Venture Vietsopetro in nurturing the traditional Vietnam-Russia relationship, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

 

Mr. Dung made the statement at a July 15 ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the signing of a Vietnam-Russia intergovernmental agreement on establishing Vietsopetro.

  

He expressed his thanks to Russian experts and scientists for their contributions to the development of the joint venture and the Vietnam’s oil and gas sectors in general.

 

The government leader asked the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and Vietsopetro to boost the exploration work to ensure the country’s energy security, promote exports and contribute more to the State budget.

 

PVN and Vietsopetro should place priority on exploration work in the continental shelf as well as seek opportunities to expand its surveying in Russia and other former Soviet-Union states, he said.

 

Mr. Dung also asked the PVN and Vietsopetro to continue applying advanced technologies to improve the effectiveness of its exploring activities and to improve the quality of the human resources and the living conditions of all their employees.

 

Established in June, 1981 with only 168 employees, Vietsopetro now has more than 7,000 qualified staff. The joint venture has so far exploited 193 million tonnes of crude oil and 22 billion cubic metres of gas, ensuring the country’s energy security and contributing to the State budget.

 

In addition, Vietsopetro has also contributed to protecting the nation’s sovereignty.

 

On the occasion, PM Dung granted the Labour Orders to many Vietsopetro employees and units.

 

 

(VOVNEWS)