Vietnam seeks to boost relations with Kalmykia

Moscow (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Ngo Duc Manh paid a working visit to the Republic of Kalmykia from October 7-9 at the invitation of Kalmyk President Batu Khasikov.

The visit aimed to explore Kalmykia’s potential and strengths, as well as similarities and reciprocity between Vietnam and Kalmykia, in a bid to set up bilateral cooperation in areas of shared concern, the ambassador told President Khasikov during their meeting on October 7.

Host and guest focused on collaboration in trade, economy and investment between Vietnamese regions and Russian ones, including Kalmykia.

Manh pledged to make all-out efforts to promote relations between Vietnamese and Russian localities, thus bringing practical benefits to both sides.

The ambassador briefed his host on bilateral economic and trade links over the past years, especially after the Vietnam-EAEU Free Trade Agreement was signed in October 2016.

They shared the view that economic and trade ties are yet to match the expectations and potential of both sides as many products of strength have not yet been introduced in their respective markets.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia is doing its best to help localities of the two countries establish relations, Manh said, citing the formation of twinning relations between many Vietnamese and Russian cities.

Vietnam and Russia hold great potential for cooperation in agriculture, especially agricultural products, seafood, garments-textiles, footwear and tourism services, the ambassador said.

For his part, President Khasikov suggested Vietnam and Kalmykia optimize each other’s favourable geographical locations to boost economic and trade links.

He expressed his hope to visit Vietnam as soon as possible in order to learn about the country’s potential as well as opportunities for further collaboration with the Southeast Asian nation.

While in Kalmykia, Manh and his entourage visited the National Museum and the Kalmyk State University./.