Trong discussed the important achievements Vietnam has recorded during the comprehensive renovation process, as well as its rising position and prestige in the international arena.

Trong affirmed that Vietnam always respects and remembers the strong support and great assistance of international friends, including those from the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, in the past struggle for national liberation and the present cause of national development and international integration.

Vietnam attaches great importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with the Russian Federation, he assured the diplomat.

For his part, Foreign Minister Lavrov highly appreciated the Communist Party of Vietnam’s political position and leadership role in national development as well as its foreign policy, including relations with the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation today.

He briefed his host on the results of his earlier talks and meetings with Vietnamese leaders during the visit and affirmed that Russia places strong emphasis on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam.

He voiced Russia’s strong support for ASEAN’s central role in the region, and thanked Vietnam for its contribution to promoting the Russia-ASEAN relations over the years.

Both host and guest exchanged views on major regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong reiterated Vietnam’s willingness to contribute to the promotion of peace, stability and cooperation globally, and voiced its support for holding dialogue and negotiations to settle international differences and disputes.

Minister Lavrov also expressed Russia’s position on international issues, including the conflict in Ukraine.

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong conveyed his greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin and United Russia Party chairman Dmitry Medvedev.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov flew to Hanoi on July 5 for a two-day visit to Vietnam to mark the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

Vietnam treasures and wants to deepen ties with Russia: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov in Hanoi on July 6, during which the PM affirmed that Vietnam has attached great importance to its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia and wanted to deepen and make the bilateral cooperative ties more effective in all spheres.

Highly valuating the positive results in bilateral cooperation over the past years, PM Chinh thanked the Russian side for its valuable support and assistance to Vietnam in the past and during the current process of national construction and development, most recently in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lavrov said that Russia always considers Vietnam an important partner in the region and wants to further foster cooperation with the Southeast Asian country.

Both sides agreed to further promote high-level agreements reached by leaders of the two countries and pledged to maintain bilateral cooperation in traditional areas where they have advantages.

PM Chinh asked ministries and sectors of both countries to remove difficulties in trade, investment and transport, while optimising the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and creating favourable conditions for businesses of both nations to expand their partnership.

At the same time, both sides should resume collaboration activities in the fields of culture, sports, tourism, education, training, and people-to-people exchange as the COVID-19 pandemic was controlled, he said.

The PM affirmed that Vietnam has persisted with a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development and building an independent and self-reliant economy with active international integration and firm protection of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He suggested the two sides organise the 24th meeting of the Vietnam - Russia Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic - Commercial and Scientific - Technological Cooperation in Vietnam.

Lavrov shared Russia’s viewpoints on the Ukraine issue. PM Chinh took this occasion to thank Russia for supporting the evacuation of Vietnamese citizens from Ukraine.

The Russian minister spoke highly of Vietnam's standpoint, role, positive and responsible contributions to peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world.

He agreed on the importance of settling disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and hoped for the soon finalisation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

PM Chinh also thanked the Russian Government for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to stably reside, do business and study in Russia, especially during difficult times of COVID-19.

The leader asked the Russian FM to convey his invitation to Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

Source: VOV/VNA