Speaking at the ASEAN-Russia Ministerial Meeting held virtually on Wednesday, Vietnamese head of delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung highly appreciated Russia's active role in promoting cooperation in response to emerging challenges to regional stability and development; in encouraging ASEAN and Russian businesses to increase exchanges, connect, exploit and effectively utilize the great potential of economic cooperation between the two sides; in supporting consideration in building a Free Trade Area (FTA) between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in the coming time. He also welcomed Russia's will in transferring vaccine technology and expand production to other countries.

DFM Nguyen also commented that Viet Nam welcomes Russia to continue to demonstrate its important and indispensable role of a major regional and global power in efforts for maintaining and ensuring peace, security and stability in the region.

The Vietnamese diplomat that, on the basis of the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Russia, Viet Nam has been continuing to make practical contributions for further strengthening the strategic partnership and mutual benefit cooperation between ASEAN and Russia. He firmly believes that the ASEAN-Russia relations, which have matured over three decades, will continue to develop and benefit both sides in the coming time.

The Russian DFM affirmed that Russia attaches importance to the Strategic Partnership with ASEAN and supports ASEAN Centrality in the regional architecture. He also announced the proposal by Russia to take 2022 as the ASEAN-Russia Year for Scientific, Technological and Industrial Cooperation.

The videoconference is part of the ongoing 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings which will last until August 7th, 2021. The incoming coordinator for ASEAN – Russia dialogue relations is now turned over to Cambodia./.