President Nguyễn Phú Trọng (r) receives Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Hà Nội on Monday. —VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam has always and will continue to consider Russia a reliable and leading partner, said General Secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee (CPVCC), President Nguyễn Phú Trọng at a reception for visiting Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Hà Nội on Monday.

The top leader affirmed the Vietnamese Party, State and people have focused on developing the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

He expressed his wish that Russia would enhance collaboration with Southeast Asian nations and enhance its role in Asia-Pacific.

He stressed that Việt Nam welcomes Russian businesses and will continue to help them engage in projects in Việt Nam in energy, transport and oil and gas.

The Party, State leader suggested that the Russian government work with its Vietnamese counterpart to remove difficulties for economic-trade and investment co-operation and implement large-scale joint projects agreed at the recent 21st session of the Việt Nam-Russia Inter-Government Committee.

For his part, PM Medvedev, also head of the ruling United Russia Party, asserted his country has always paid heed to fostering its ties with Việt Nam, considering the country its leading partner in Southeast Asia.

Informing the host of the outcome of his talks with Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Medvedev said the two governments will co-ordinate closely to organise activities throughout 2019 as the two nations celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the treaty on the fundamental principles of Việt Nam-Russia friendship and prepare for the 70th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2020.

Regarding relations between the Communist Party of Việt Nam and the United Russia Party, the leaders said they are pleased with the development of the ties, saying the relationship through the party channel is an important foundation to bolster the two countries’ bond.

They agreed to strengthen the friendship between the two parties in the future, including the continued implementation of the political dialogue mechanism and their co-operation plan for 2018-21. — VNS