Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Photo: VNA) Moscow (VNA) – Asstrategic partners, Vietnam and Russia have maintained fruitful politicaldialogues and effective cooperation in different spheres, Russian Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov said in an interview to the press ahead of his official trip toVietnam from February 24-25.
Lavrov affirmed that Russia has beencoordinating closely with Vietnam in international issues at the United Nationsand regional mechanisms as well as within the framework of the strategicpartnership between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN).
According to the minister,Vietnam-Russia trade exceeded 6 billion USD last year, and Vietnam is currentlyone of the nations with the largest numbers of students in Russia, standing at6,000, of whom 2,000 have received scholarships from Russia.
Highlighting that militarytechnical cooperation plays an important role in the bilateral ties, he saidRussia is willing to meet Vietnam’s demand for modern weapons to protect itssecurity and national sovereignty. Cyber security, culture and humanitarian aidare also the fields where the two countries have maintained smooth collaboration.
Regarding the organization of theVietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam in 2019, Lavrov saidRussia is establishing an organizing committee which is led by Deputy PrimeMinister Maxim Akimov, the official unveiled, expecting that Vietnam will soonset up its similar committee.
Regarding Vietnam’s hosting ofthe second summit between the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea(DPRK) on February 27 and 28, the diplomat said Russia supports US-DPRKrelations and hoped that the summit would be a success.
Lavrov said Vietnam was selectedas the venue of the summit as the country has pursued a responsible foreignpolicy and it has been loyal to friends and does not want to confront with anynation.
Vietnam’s friendly atmospherecreates favourable conditions for political negotiations, he added.-VNA
VNA
