The 9th Vietnam-Russia Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy-Defence-Security and the political consultation at deputy minister level between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam and Russia took place in Hanoi on June 14 under the chair of Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and his Russian counterpart Igor Morgulov.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) and his Russian counterpart Igor Morgulov

The two sides exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, underlining that profound changes in the region and the world have caused direct impacts on economic connectivity as well as cooperation in addressing regional and global issues.

They held that the two nations need to increase the exchange of information and close coordination at multi-lateral forums, particularly in the United Nations, in the framework of ASEAN-Russia cooperation, as well as in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

The two sides were delighted at the positive development of the Vietnam- Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the recent time and affirmed their determination to maintain and bolster the bilateral cooperation in all fields, particularly in economy and trade, as the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasia Economic Union took effect, striving to lift two-way trade value to 10 billion USD by 2020.

They agreed to work together to well prepare for the upcoming official visit to Russia by President Tran Dai Quang and other high-level diplomatic activities in 2017.

The two sides pledged to accelerate the implementation of agreements and key projects in politics, economy-trade, national defence-security, science-technology, education-training, culture, and tourism. Connection among localities of the two nations will also be strengthened to fully tap cooperation potential of both sides.

They discussed cooperation prospects within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. The Russian deputy minister affirmed Russia’s support to Vietnam in hosting APEC Year 2017, saying that Russia is willing to share experience with and assist Vietnam in successfully hosting the event.

The two sides also affirmed support for the settlement of disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in accordance with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and towards building a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea. They shared a view that UNCLOS member nations must observe and fully implement their obligations.

A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hosted a reception for Deputy FM Igor Morgulov, during which he spoke highly of the maintenance of the dialogue and the political consultation between the two foreign ministries, saying that they facilitate information exchanges and help them fulfil their political tasks.

Minh urged the two ministries to increase the exchange of views on regional and international issues to better coordination, expressing his hope that Russia will continue boosting cooperation with ASEAN, thus helping maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

He expressed his pleasure at the Vietnam – Russia fruitful cooperation, saying that the close cooperation between Vietnam and Russia when Vietnam is hosting the APEC Year will contribute significantly to consolidating and enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

Morgulov affirmed that Russia supports and is willing to coordinate with Vietnam during the APEC Year 2017 and voiced his hope that the Eurasia Economic Union and APEC would develop cooperative ties.

VNA