In Russia’s foreign policy, especially for Vietnam, the entire State Duma held to the common stance of beefing up comprehensive cooperation and partnership between the two countries and their parliaments.

This was stated by First Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma and First Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Russia Ivan Melnikov during his meeting with Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Ngan, who is also Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, is visiting Russia, starting on September 26.

She also met with Vice Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Ilyas Umakhalnov and President of the Russian parliamentarians group with Vietnam and Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee for Energy Sergey Levchenko.

Ivan Melnikov informed Ngan that Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Valentina Matvienko will pay an official visit to Vietnam in November to promote the traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two parliaments and peoples.

He stated that at the 21 st session of the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians Union in January 2013, Russia will voice its support for Vietnam’s hosting the union’s next session in 2015.

For her part, Ngan affirmed the two parliaments’ great role in accelerating the sharing of experiences drawn from their activities to increase mutual understanding and reinforce comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and peoples.

Vietnam is implementing the foreign policy of multilateralisation and diversification and wants to befriend with all countries, of which Russia is a top priority partner, the Vietnamese legislative leader said.

She spoke highly of Russia’s successful organisation of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting 2012 in Vladivostock, saying that this is an important event for Russia to penetrate in the Asia-Pacific, including Vietnam.

The two sides affirmed their determination to enhance coordination in international and regional forums, particularly within the framework of the UN and APEC.

They noted both countries should soon complete procedures for the signing of a labour cooperation agreement at an early date.

The Vietnamese NA leader’s visit will last through September 29.-VNA