Party General Secretary, State President Nguyen Phu Trong on Thursday held phone talks with Russian President V. Putin on the occasion of the National Day of Russia (June 12). 

Party General Secretary, State President Nguyen Phu Trong (left) shake hands
with President V. Putin after their joint press briefing in Moscow, Russia on
September 6, 2018

On behalf of the Party, State and people of Viet Nam, Trong congratulated Putin and Russian people on their National Day, affirming Viet Nam always attaches importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia and highly values the great achievements gained by Russia under the leadership of President Putin.

On the occasion, the top Vietnamese leader extended congratulations to Russia on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Victory Day over Fascism.

He also expressed his wish that the upcoming constitutional referendum 2020 in Russia will be a success.

In the spirit of trust and openess, which is a prominent feature of the Viet Nam-Russia traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership, the two leaders discussed on a wide range of cooperation domains between the two countries as well as regional and international issues of common concerns.

Trong conveyed sympathies to President Putin over the losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and welcomed drastic efforts and contributions by Russia to the global fight against the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Putin spoke hihgly of Viet Nam’s successful containment of the pandemic, expressing thanks to the Southeast Asian country for having offered practical assistance for his country’s COVID-19 fight.

The two sides agreed to continue fostering cooperation in curbing the pandemic and providing timely support for their citizens.

Party General Secretary, State President Trong and President Putin agreed that the comprehensive strategic partnership has advanced robustly over the past time and that both countries will sustain the regular contacts at all levels and coordinate in organizing joint events within the framework of the cross years of Russia in Viet Nam and Viet Nam in Russia in 2019-2020 to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the agreement on friendly relations between the two countries.

The pair affirmed that defense-security and energy are the key pillars of the bilateral relations, committing to further enhancing cooperation in these fields through continued support for the sides’ oil and gas companies to further expand and join new projects in both Viet Nam and Russia.

Both sides also pledged to further facilitate trade and investment cooperation through fully tapping the potentials of the Viet Nam-Eurasian Economic Union free trade agreement in a bid to soon realize the two countries’ trade goal of US$10 billion.

Regarding regional and international issues of common concerns, the two leaders pledged to bolster collaboration at multilateral forums and coordinate in promoting peace, security, cooperation and international law in the region and the world.

Trong asserted that, Viet Nam, as the current ASEAN Chair, will double efforts to strengthen the ASEAN-Russia cooperation. In response, Putin expressed his belief that Viet Nam will successfully undertake the dual role as the ASEAN Chair and the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.

Party General Secretary, State President Trong invited President Putin to pay an official visit to Viet Nam and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure./.