HCM City (VNA) – An unwavering priority of Russia is to continueconsolidating its comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, Russia’s ActingConsul General in Ho Chi Minh City Vadim Basinskyi affirmed in his article(translated into Vietnamese) posted on Thanh Nien (Young People) Newspaper.

The cooperation between Russia and Vietnam is developingstrongly in all fields on the principle of mutual respect, equality and reciprocal benefit, Basinskyi wrote, adding that thetwo countries’ people are standing side by side, supporting eachother, and moving forward together.

At present, Vietnam is one of the leading ASEAN countries interms of trade exchanges with Russia, and two-way investment is also increasingpositively. Collaboration in military technology, defence and security,including in cyber security, is developing, while educational, scientific and culturalcooperation is expanded. Each year, Russia provides nearly 1,000 Governmentscholarships for Vietnamese students, and there are currently about 6,000Vietnamese students learning at Russian educational establishments.

According to the Acting Consul General, it isessential to develop the bilateral relationship, firstly in trade and investment.

Russia plans to expand collaboration in industrialproduction, transport infrastructure, electricity, oil and gas, assembly industry,health and high technology, he said.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian Consulate Generalhas focused efforts on helping arrange flights repatriating Vietnamese citizensfrom Russia and providing consular support for Russian citizens in Vietnam's southern region.

Since the beginning of March 2020, the agency has supported the return of nearly 25,000 Russian citizens from Cam Ranh and Tan Son Nhatinternational airports through regular, repatriation and transitflights, Basinskyi wrote.

He took the occasion to thank Vietnamese authorities forhelping the Russian Consulate General address arising problems in the period.

Despite impacts of the pandemic, cooperation activitiesbetween the two countries have continued to be carried out, mainly in thevirtual format. Vietnam has provided medical supplies for Russia, while Russianexperts working in Vietnam have exerted efforts to find out effectiveprevention and control measures, he said, adding that negotiations on Russia’sSputnik V vaccine supply are about to be completed.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year festival, Basinskyi wishedVietnamese people good health, happiness and more achievements. He expressedhis belief that when the pandemic is over, the two countries can realizeintentions and agreements to further develop bilateral cooperative ties./.