Russian foreign minister to visit Vietnam

Tuoi Tre

Russia-Vietnam ties to be strengthened by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s first official visit

Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will make his first official visit to Vietnam on July 24 and 25.

Lavrov will lead a delegation which will conduct high level talks in a range of areas, including trade and economic matters, Vietnam News Agency reported, citing Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Dung.

Russian and Vietnamese officials will review the cooperation between the Russian and Vietnamese foreign ministries in 2009 and hammer out a plan for 2010.

During the two-day visit, the parties will also discuss current and future cooperation on the international stage, including at the UN Security Council, where Vietnam is a currently a non-permanent member.

Both sides will consider strengthening the Russia–ASEAN partnership within the framework of the regional forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Concerns about the activities of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Russia’s prospects of joining the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and a possible partnership between ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are also on the agenda.

Next year, Russia and Vietnam will celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship.

In 2001, Russia and Vietnam strengthened their relationship by signing a strategic partnership agreement.

The partnership between the two nations was boosted even further by Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet’s visit to Russia last year.

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