Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong arrived in Hanoi on November 28, concluding his official visits to Russia and Belarus at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin and President Alexander Lukashenko.

During his stay in Russia from November 23-26, the Party leader held talks with President Putin and met with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Chairwoman of Russia's Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, and Acting Chairman of the State Duma Ivan Ivanovich Melnikov.

The two countries issued a joint statement affirming to continue strengthening bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership and signed nine cooperation agreements on various fields.

While in Belarus from November 26-27, the Party chief held talks with President Alexander Lukashenko and met with Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich and Chairman of the Council of the National Assembly Anatoly N. Rubinov.

The two sides issued a joint statement on further fostering and developing the bilateral friendship and comprehensive cooperation, and inked three cooperation agreements.

Upon leaving Russia and Belarus , General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent messages to the two Presidents. He expressed his thanks to the hosts’ warm welcome and said he believes that the outcomes of the visits will help promote the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the two countries, for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

According to Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan, the visits have contributed to tightening the sound political ties and enhancing the mutual trust between Vietnam and Russia and Belarus .

He noted that the leaders confirmed to maintain high-level political dialogue mechanisms and further strengthen ties via diverse channels including Party, parliament, ministry, locality and people-to-people exchange.

They discussed major orientations to expand bilateral collaboration to other fields, especially economy and trade, in the context that Vietnam is going to sign a Free Trade Agreement with the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan .

They also agreed on measures to enhance coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums.

Both Russia and Belarus highly valued Vietnam ’s increasing role in the region and the world, affirming they attach importance to developing relations with the country, which holds an important position in their foreign policies in Southeast Asia and Asia in general.

According to Quan, the leaders stressed the need to address any dispute in Asia-Pacific and the East Sea by peaceful means, without use of or threat to use forces, and in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They supported the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

VNA/VNN