Vietnam always attaches importance to the development of traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Russia, with priority given to security and defence, Party General Secretary and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said.

The Party leader made this affirmation at a reception given to visiting Russian Security Council Secretary General N. P. Patrushev in Hanoi on June 8.

Trong said he hopes General Patrushev’s visit will help further promote the Vietnam-Russia strategic partnership and the development of the two countries’ effective and reliable cooperation in security and defence.

General Patrushev praised Vietnam’s national renewal process and wished the Vietnamese Communist Party, Government and people greater success as the nation increases its role in the region and the world.

He informed the Party chief of the results of his working session with Vietnam’s agencies, saying he is delighted at the development of bilateral cooperation in various fields, including security and defence.

The Russian Security Council Secretary pledged to work to promote bilateral cooperation in these fields./.