Vietnam always considers Russia among its top priority partners in its foreign policy, State President To Lam reiterated on Monday, one day before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to Vietnam, which Lam said is of great significance.   

The state leader was speaking at his reception held in the Presidential Palace in Hanoi for Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko on Monday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Lam asked the ambassador to extend his thanks to Russian President Putin for his congratulations on his election as the state president of Vietnam. 

The head of state affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people always bear in mind the significant and heartfelt support provided by the Soviet and Russian people for Vietnam both in its previous fight for national independence and reunification, and in its ongoing national building and safeguarding.

Lam reiterated that Russia is always one of the top priority partners of Vietnam, and that the Southeast Asian country constantly advocates Russia’s stable development.

The Vietnamese leader highly appreciated the positive development of traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia over the past years.

He commented that there remains huge potential for further cooperation, especially in economics, investment, infrastructure, transportation, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.

State President Lam believes that through existing bilateral mechanisms, the Vietnam - Russia comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to be beefed up in the coming time.

Regarding cooperation at international forums, he welcomed the close coordination and mutual support between the two countries for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

Agreeing with Lam’s assessments of the relationship between the two countries, Ambassador Bezdetko asserted that he and the embassy will continue to make efforts to deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Russian side wishes to promote cooperation with Vietnam in various fields, including economics, trade, defense, security, education, training, science, technology, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, the diplomat said. 

Lam shared the same view with the ambassador that the Vietnam - Russia relationship has a long history and that the two countries have overcome many challenges together and achieved many great achievements in their socio-economic development.   

The Vietnamese leader also commented that President Putin’s upcoming visit to Vietnam will mark an important milestone in the two countries' relations.

The two countries' concerned agencies will coordinate closely to prepare well for the visit, contributing to deepening the solidarity, traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. 

As scheduled, President Putin will arrive in Vietnam on Wednesday for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. 

Vietnam and Russia established diplomatic ties in 1950, elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2001, and then upgraded it again to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012.

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