Moscow (VNA) – Russia’s relationship with Vietnam is one of the mainpillars in its foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asian regions,said Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma Ivan Melnikov.

Melnikov, also First Vice Chairman of theCommunist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) Central Committee, held talkswith visiting Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) CentralCommittee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central CommitteeTran Thanh Man in Moscow on September 20.

During their discussion of numerous issuesin bilateral ties, the two sides expressed their delight at development in theVietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, reflected through highpolitical trust, increasing two-way trade and effective collaboration indefence, security, science, technology, education, training, culture andtourism.

Melnikov said Russia and Vietnam sharesimilar stances in addressing regional and international issues, and Russiabacks Vietnam’s efforts to increase its position in the international arena.

He suggested both sides pay more attentionto educating young generations about their time-honoured friendship, andintensify their parliaments and social organisations’ supervision over theimplementation of signed cooperative agreements.

He also expressed interest in the VFF’sexperience in serving as a bridge between the country’s political institutionsand people.

For his part, Man emphasised Vietnamtreasures its ties with Russia, and prioritises consolidating and enhancing itspartnership with Russia.

He lauded close and effective cooperationbetween the two parliaments.

The Vietnamese National Assembly supportsand participates in inter-parliamentary cooperative activities chaired byRussia, such as the Eurasian Women's Forum, he stated, hoping the legislativebodies will continue coordinating closely within the framework of theAsia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly(AIPA) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

He proposed the two sides intensifycooperation and exchange experience in legislative affairs and increase therole of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group in stepping up tiesbetween the two parliaments and countries.

The Vietnamese official expressed hisgratitude to Russia for supporting the Vietnamese community in Russia.

He said he hopes Melnikov and Russianauthorised offices will continue helping Vietnamese people consolidate theirlegal status and run business in Russia.

Acknowledging Man’s proposal, Melnikovstated that in the time ahead, both sides can seek measures to address outstandingobstacles in bilateral ties, including issues related to the legal status ofthe Vietnamese community in Russia.

Man’s visit to Russia will last untilSeptember 25.-VNA