The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister visited Vietnam on June 13-14 at the invitation of the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam to attend the ninth Vietnam-Russia Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy-Defense-Security and Political Consultation at the deputy-foreign-ministerial level, which aimed to roll out the cooperation plan between the two foreign ministries for the 2017-2018 period.
At the reception on June 13 in Hanoi, Mr. Minh suggested that the two sides boost their discussions on regional and global issues for better coordination and wished Russia to further cooperate with ASEAN and actively contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister I. Morgulov. Photo: baoquocte.vn
Minh also showed his pleasure at fine developments in relations between the two countries and hoped the two foreign ministries would continue boosting cooperation in all fields to be on a par with the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.
For his part, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister I. Morgulov affirmed Russia’s support and willingness to team up with Vietnam in the APEC Year and voiced his hope to see developing ties between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and APEC.
On June 14, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister I. Morgulov co-chaired the ninth Vietnam-Russia Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy-Defense-Security and Political Consultation at the deputy-foreign-ministerial level.
During the dialogue, the two sides confirmed their determination to enhance the two countries’ bilateral cooperation in all aspects, especially in economy and trade. As the free trade agreement between Vietnam and EAEU has come into effect, the two sides agreed to lift two-way trade turnover to USD 10 billion in 2020.
The two sides also agreed to well prepare for the official Russian visit of State President Tran Dai Quang and other diplomatic activities this year. They showed their consensus on exerting an all-out effort to bolster implementation of missions, deals, and prioritized cooperation projects in the fields of politics, economy, trade, defense, security, science and technology, education and training, culture and tourism. They reached agreement on boosting connectivity between the two nations’ localities in order to well tap their cooperation potentials.
The two sides also reassured their support for settling East Sea (South China Sea) issues by peaceful means and on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United National Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and in accordance with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as parties' efforts to soon sign a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
They also agreed that UNCLOS 1982 member countries must observe it and fully implement their obligations.
Translated by Mai Huong