Officials of Việt Nam and Russia at the 11th strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence and security in Hà Nội on Friday. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and Russia sought measures to step up bilateral ties, and discussed regional and international issues of shared concern during their 11th strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence and security in Hà Nội on Friday.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Việt Nam’s Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn and First Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Vladimir Titov.

The sides highlighted the trustworthy and close relationship between the two countries and peoples, and rejoiced at the positive developments of the Việt Nam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

They said diverse activities had been held within the Việt Nam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Việt Nam (2019-20) to mark the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 25th anniversary of the treaty on fundamental principles of the Việt Nam-Russia friendship.

The two sides highlighted their resolve to maintain and push their dynamic growth momentum across all spheres, ranging from politics to economy and trade, national defence and security, science and technology, education and training, culture and tourism, as well as collaboration between localities.

They agreed to effectively realise the free trade agreement signed between Việt Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union in order to raise trade between the two countries to US$10 billion.

They also shared views on profound changes to the regional and international situation, and the need to step up information exchange and close co-ordination at multilateral forums, especially at the time when Việt Nam serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-21 and the ASEAN Chair in 2020.

Việt Nam affirmed the importance the country attached to Russia’s role and voice in global issues and security, while Russia lauded Việt Nam’s increasing position in the region and the world at large, as well as the Southeast Asian country’s active role in ASEAN, the UN Security Council (UNSC) and multilateral forums.

They committed to joining hands at the UN and other multilateral forums, and working together to contribute to maintaining peace and stability in Asia-Pacific and the world.

The sides also applauded the progress of the ASEAN-Russia relationship, and pledged that Việt Nam and Russia would continue their close co-ordination to advance the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership.

They expressed their support for settling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Meeting with Foreign Minister

The host highly valued the maintenance of the strategic dialogue mechanism, which had created conditions for the countries to exchange information and assist each other in fulfilling their political tasks.

Minh emphasised that the countries’ close co-ordination in 2020, when numerous major events like the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and other big anniversaries, would greatly contribute to the enhancement of bilateral relations.

At the meeting, he expressed his hope that both sides would continue working closely together to solve difficulties and outstanding problems in a timely manner and promote new co-operation directions, thus bringing bilateral collaboration in all fields, from politics, defence and security, economy and trade, and energy, to people-to-people connections, on a par with their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The host called on Russia to strengthen ties with ASEAN and bring into play its important role to actively contribute to regional and global peace and stability.

First Deputy Foreign Minister Titov said Russia would keep co-operating closely with Việt Nam to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership in a substantive and dynamic manner in all spheres and join the Southeast Asian nation in contributing to peace, stability and co-operation in the region and the world. — VNS