Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong met members of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association and the Russian Association of War Veterans with Vietnam Experiences in Moscow on November 24.

He told them Vietnam and Russia had nurtured their relationship for decades, standing the test of time, and the Vietnamese people would never forget the valuable assistance provided by their Russian friends in the past and at present.

Over the past six decades, the friendship and solidarity between the two peoples have come to form a centrepiece in the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, the leader said.

Nguyen Phu Trong said in full confidence that the two associations would uphold their roles as a bridge connecting the Vietnamese and Russian people, especially as the two countries gear up for the 65 th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2015.

Members of the two associations expressed their hope for a closer friendship and all-round cooperation between Vietnam and Russia. They also proposed a number of measures to make it easier for the Vietnamese community to integrate into and adapt to the host society.

On the same day, the Party chief laid a wreath at the memorial site at the Red Square, which is dedicated to unknown soldiers, and paid his respect to Vladimir I. Lenin at his mausoleum.-VNA