Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and ForeignMinister Pham Binh Minh on March 6 received First Deputy Foreign Minister ofRussia Vladimir Titov, who is in Hanoi to attend the 11th strategic dialogue ondiplomacy, defence and security between the two countries.

The host official highly valued the maintenanceof the strategic dialogue mechanism, which has created conditions for thecountries to exchange information and assist each other in fulfilling theirpolitical tasks.

Voicing his delight at the fine development of thebilateral cooperation, Minh stressed that Vietnam attaches great importance tothe long-standing cohesion and friendship between the two peoples. He alsospoke highly of the role of the two countries’ comprehensive strategicpartnership in Vietnam’s foreign policy.

Deputy PM Minh emphasised that the countries’close coordination in 2020, when numerous major events like the 70th foundinganniversary of their diplomatic ties and other big anniversaries, will greatlycontribute to the enhancement of bilateral relations.

At the meeting, he expressed his hope that bothsides will keep working closely together to solve difficulties and outstandingproblems in a timely manner and promote new cooperation directions, thusbringing bilateral collaboration in all fields, from politics, defence –security, economy – trade and energy to people-to-people connections, on parwith their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Vietnam and Russia should also continuecoordinating closely at multilateral forums and sharing views on regional andinternational matters, including peace and security issues, especially whenVietnam is serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for2020-2021 and ASEAN Chair this year, he noted.

The host called on Russia to keep strengtheningties with ASEAN and bring into play its important role to actively contributeto regional and global peace and stability.

For his part, First Deputy Foreign MinisterTitov affirmed that his country treasures the traditional cooperation andcomprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam.

Russia supports and stands ready to work withVietnam during the latter’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2020 and non-permanentmembership of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, he noted, adding that hehopes the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and ASEAN will bolster cooperation inthe time ahead.

He said Russia will keep cooperating closelywith Vietnam to develop the comprehensive strategic partnership in asubstantive and dynamic manner in all spheres and join the Southeast Asiannation in contributing to peace, stability and cooperation in the region andthe world over./.