Hanoi (VNA) - The 9th Vietnam-Russia Strategic Dialogue onDiplomacy-Defence-Security and the political consultation at deputyminister level between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam andRussia took place in Hanoi on June 14 under the chair of Deputy ForeignMinister Bui Thanh Son and his Russian counterpart Igor Morgulov.

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

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

The two sides were delighted at the positivedevelopment of the Vietnam- Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in therecent time and affirmed their determination to maintain and bolster thebilateral cooperation in all fields, particularly in economy and trade, as theFree Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EurasiaEconomic Union took effect, striving to lift two-way trade value to 10billion USD by 2020.

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

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

They discussed cooperation prospects within theframework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. The Russiandeputy 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 successfullyhosting the event.

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

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

Minh urged the two ministries to increase theexchange 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 Vietnamand Russia when Vietnam is hosting the APEC Year will contribute significantlyto consolidating and enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership betweenthe two nations.

Morgulov affirmed that Russia supports and iswilling to coordinate with Vietnam during the APEC Year 2017 and voiced hishope that the Eurasia Economic Union and APEC would develop cooperativeties.-VNA