Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov will pay an official visit to Vietnam from February 16-17, at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, said the Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Le Dzung at the regular press briefing in Hanoi on February 9.

Falling within the framework of the annual exchange of high-ranking delegations between the two countries, the Vietnam visit by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov is aimed at discussing measures to intensify and specify activities in the strategic bilateral partnership, implement major cooperation projects and probe new directions to promote economic and trade relations between the two countries.

During the visit, the two sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Mr Dzung also said that at the invitation of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai will pay an official visit to the Republic of Indonesia from February 22-24.

The visit aims to promote the friendly relationship and cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia, exchange ideas on and specify how to implement the "Joint Statement on the framework of friendly and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the 21^st century", discuss measures to promote multisided cooperation of mutual benefit, especially in the fields of trade, investment and economy, and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

**** At the invitation of Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong and his spouse, King of Spain Juan Carlos and his spouse Queen Sofia will visit from February 20-21.

The visit by the Spanish King and his spouse will help boost bilateral friendship and multifaceted cooperation, particularly in trade and economics as well as in cultural and tourism exchanges.