President Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrives in Moscow, beginning official visit to Russia

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow on November 29 afternoon (local time). (Photo: VNA)

Moscow (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow on November 29 afternoon (local time), beginning an official visit to Russia at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese State leader and his entourage was held at the airport, with the participation of the Deputy Minister and other officials of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi, his spouse and the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia.

Staff of the Vietnamese Embassy welcome President Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the airport (Photo: VNA)

In an interview recently granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Moscow, Ambassador Khoi said Vietnam – Russia ties are close-knit, loyal and rare in the world.

He said the visit will further deepen and lift bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a greater height in all areas in the new situation.

It manifests that Vietnam is pursuing the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of ties for national benefits, as well as for the world peace and stability.

The visit also shows that Vietnam attaches importance to ties with Russia, considering the country a priority in its foreign policy and a key partner while sincerely and consistently supporting Russia in an ever-changing world.

Moreover, it affirms the strengthening of joint work against COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the research and production of vaccines and medicines.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse (Photo: VNA) 

The bilateral political relationship has been continuously consolidated, reflected through the regular exchange of high-level delegations.

Economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has also been developed dynamically in recent years. Two-way trade reached 4.85 billion USD in 2020, up 9 percent year-on-year. It hit 3.6 billion USD in the first nine months of this year, up 5 percent against the same period of 2020.

As of April 2021, Russian had ranked 25th among countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 144 projects worth 944 million USD. Meanwhile, Vietnam had invested in over 20 projects worth nearly 3 billion USD in Russia.

During the visit, President Phuc is scheduled to hold talks and meetings with leaders of the Russian State and the State Duma. He will also meet with representatives from the Russia-Vietnam friendship organisations, attend a Vietnam-Russia business forum and visit a number of local firms./.

VNA