Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council Sergei Shoigu in Hà Nội on Tuesday. —VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary Tô Lâm met with Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu in Hà Nội on Tuesday, praising bilateral cooperation in security and defence.

While welcoming the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu in Hà Nội, Lâm confirmed that the visit held significance by helping further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Việt Nam continues to value the traditional friendship that has been nurtured by generations of leaders and peoples of both countries, and appreciates the support that the former Soviet Union, now the Russian Federation, have provided to Việt Nam in its efforts for national liberation in the past and national development today, according to the Party leader.

The Party and State of Việt Nam consistently pursue a foreign policy that upholds independence, self-reliance and diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, under which strengthening the trusted Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia is a key priority.

The Party leader highlighted the need for both countries to effectively implement high-level agreements and fully tap into current potential and strengths to elevate bilateral ties to new heights, serving each country’s growth and contributing to peace, collaboration and development in the region and the world.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his appreciation for the outcomes of working sessions between the delegation from the Russian Federation Security Council and Vietnamese authorities, noting the areas of cooperation agreed upon by both sides.

These include combating transnational crime, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, non-traditional security, strategic information sharing and capacity training.

Lâm said that amid rapidly evolving and complex global developments, Việt Nam and Russia must further strengthen coordination, consultation and experience exchanges to mutually support each other for the security and prosperity of both nations.

Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome from the Vietnamese side, Shoigu said Russia regarded Việt Nam as a reliable and important partner in the Asia-Pacific region, and greatly valued the Southeast Asian nation’s role and position as well as its independent, peaceful foreign policy.

The Russian security official recognised that collaboration between the two countries had always been based on mutual trust and respect, in line with international law and the interests of both sides.

He also noted positive progress in working together on security and defence, capacity training and experience sharing to address non-traditional security challenges and combat crime.

Shoigu suggested further advancing the comprehensive cooperation between the Russian security council and Vietnamese authorities, expanding strategic dialogue mechanisms.

He reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to support, share experiences, broaden cooperation programmes and develop new initiatives suited to each side’s needs and capacities.

Meanwhile, Lâm said that Việt Nam would stand ready to deepen collaboration with Russia based on political trust and partnership, and serve as a gateway for Russia to advance its relations with other countries in the Southeast Asian region.

Both sides also agreed to expand cooperation in economy and trade, energy, oil and gas, agriculture, machinery manufacturing and high technology. They encouraged stronger connections between localities, businesses and economic associations in both countries as well.

They noted other key areas for collaboration, including science, technology transfer and joint research, while also emphasising bilateral activities in education and training to further promote the longstanding ties between the two countries.

The Vietnamese and Russian sides also emphasised the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges in fostering mutual understanding and reinforcing traditional friendship between the two nations.

On the occasion of the Russian security secretary’s visit, Lâm conveyed his regards to President Vladimir Putin and senior leaders of Russia. — VNS