Moscow (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of ForeignAffairs Bui Thanh Son held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow onSeptember 28 as part of his official visit to Russia from September 25 to 28.

FM Son affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, and peoplealways keep in mind and treasure the wholehearted support and assistance thatthe Russian people have given to the Vietnamese during the struggle fornational liberation and reunification in the past and the “Doi moi” (Renewal) nowadays.

Vietnam consistently views Russia as one of its leadingimportant and trustworthy partners, he emphasised.

Lavrov affirmed that Vietnam is a very important partner in his country’s foreign policy.

Both ministers held that the Vietnam - Russia comprehensivestrategic partnership has kept developing dynamically despite obstacles causedby the COVID-19 pandemic. The political trust has been consolidated via onlinemeetings and phone talks between senior leaders and officials from ministriesand sectors of the two countries.

Growth has been sustained in economic and trade ties, withbilateral trade in the first half of 2021 rising 12.5 percent year on year to2.6 billion USD. The two sides have also actively cooperated with each other inthe COVID-19 combat as seen in the sharing of medical supplies and equipment,according to the two ministers.

They agreed to increase mutual visits at all levels,especially those by senior leaders, and between their countries’ Parties, States, and parliaments; boost people-to-people exchange; further expand and intensify cooperation in allfields, especially defence and security; further tap into the free tradeagreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, of which Russia is amember; and step up the implementation of key projects in the energy, oil andgas sector and expand the ties to the renewable energy industry.

Vietnam and Russia will create optimal conditions forbusinesses to access each other’s markets and invest in mutually beneficialsectors, strengthen cooperation in human resources development, and soon resume normal travel for their citizens.

Minister Son asked Russia to prioritise providing and transferringproduction technology of COVID-19 vaccine and drugs to Vietnam as agreed;further expand cooperation in medicine, space science, and management ofnatural resources; facilitate Vietnamese farm produce’s access to the Russianmarket; and bolster ties and exchange between their localities.

He also called on the Foreign Ministry andrelevant agencies of Russia to continue creating favourable conditions forVietnamese people to live, study, and work in the country, as well as to receiveCOVID-19 vaccination and treatment.

For his part, Minister Lavrov stressed that Vietnam is animportant market of Russia in Southeast Asia, voicing his support for the Vietnamese counterpart's proposals and suggesting stronger cultural cooperation and people-to-peopleexchange.

He also appreciated Vietnam’s attention and assistance toensure health safety for Russian citizens in the country.

At the talks, the two officials also discussed several internationaland regional issues.

They agreed that the two countries will keep reinforcingcoordination at important multilateral organisations and forums, especially theUnited Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and inresponding to non-traditional security challenges.

They affirmed ASEAN’s centrality in an evolving regionalarchitecture and underlined the importance of upholding and seriouslycomplying with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Lawof the Sea, to regional peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

Minister Son invited his counterpart to visit Vietnam in thenear future. Lavrov accepted the invitation with pleasure./.