Vietnam and Russia asserted the importance of continuing to maintain a strategic dialogue at their third annual strategic dialogue on diplomatic, defence and security affairs in Hanoi on August 13.

The Vietnamese delegation to the dialogue was led by Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh while the Russian delegation was headed by the first Deputy Foreign Minister A.I. Denisov.

The officials held in-depth discussions on international affairs and the situation in the Asia-Pacific region in the context where the entire world is sparing no effort to surmount financial and economic crisis aftermaths.

They talked about the promotion of ASEAN-Russia cooperation, preparations for the second ASEAN-Russia Summit, and external relations of Vietnam and Russia .

The officials also focused on issues of cooperation and how to step up bilateral coordination of actions at the UN and other international forums, especially within regional integration mechanisms, and other issues in bilateral ties.

Later the same day, the Russian officials were received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, who described the Vietnam-Russia strategic dialogue as a vivid manifestation of the two countries’ all-round cooperation and strategic partnership.

Both sides touched upon preparations for the Russian President’s official visit to Vietnam and the ASEAN-Russia Summit in late October this year.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister reaffirmed that his country places great importance on its strategic partnership with Vietnam and highly values Vietnam ’s role and active dedication in the capacity as ASEAN Chair.

Vietnam and Russia will hold their fourth strategic dialogue in Moscow./.