Vietnam treasures friendship with Russia: Party chief

During a reception for Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Hanoi on March 23, Party General Secretary Trong welcomed Lavrov’s official visit to Vietnam right after the Russian presidential election, hoping that under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, Russia will continue developing strongly and affirming its important position in the international arena.

The Party chief stressed that the deepening reliable political relations between senior leaders of Vietnam and Russia is a firm foundation to further step up cooperative ties in other fields.

To reach the target of US$10 billion in two-way trade by 2020, the two sides need to create breakthroughs in implementing the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement and well carry out prioritized tasks, focusing on cooperation projects in the fields of economy, trade, investment, oil and gas and nuclear energy, he noted.

Lavrov briefed his host about Russia’s situation, especially the results of the recent presidential election.

Vietnam is always prioritised in Russia’s foreign policy and a leading partner of Russia in the Asian-Pacific region, he said, adding that Russia always wants to witness Vietnam’s strong development and growingly important position in the region and the world as well.

The minister affirmed that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will spare no effort to accelerate the implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements in all spheres, thereby creating practical changes in relations between the two nations in the coming time.