Moscow (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quangmet with members of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association and the RussiaUnion of Veterans who formely worked in Vietnam in Moscow on late June 28.

Speaking at the Hanoi-Moscow multifunctionalcomplex, President Quang, who is on an official visit to Russia, said he washappy to meet Russian war veterans who devoted their youth to the protection oftheir nation and the struggle for the independence and freedom of Vietnam.

The Vietnamese people remember the enormoussupport that Russia has given to their national liberation and developmentefforts, he noted.

Despite numerous difficulties over nearly sevendecades, the friendship between the two countries’ people remains warm and is afirm foundation for fostering the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategicpartnership, he said, adding that bilateral relations have been tested by timeand have bright prospects.

The visiting leader affirmed that Vietnamprioritises developing its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia,which has been and will always be a trustworthy friend of Vietnam.

[Photos: Vietnamese Pr♑esident starts official visit to Russia]

He also expressed delight at the growth ofbilateral ties, noting regular high-ranking delegation exchanges and increasingeconomic-trade links. The signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam andthe Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will create new momentum and opportunitiesfor Vietnam’s trade with EAEU members, especially Russia, to grow.

The President valued the outcomes ofpeople-to-people diplomacy through activities of the Russia-Vietnam FriendshipAssociation such as exchanges and meetings between friends, former comrades andbetween Russian teachers and Vietnamese alumni.

He voiced his hope that the Russia-VietnamFriendship Association and the Russian Union of Veterans who used to work inVietnam, together with the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association and theAssociation of Vietnamese War Veterans, will work harder to better link the twocountries’ people and help younger generations better understand each other.

He also asked the Russia-Vietnam FriendshipAssociation to continue assisting the Vietnamese community in the country sothey can contribute more to bilateral ties.

At the meeting, Russian participants expressedtheir interest in the country and people of Vietnam. They also said they wantto reinforce the two countries’ amity and cooperation.

Also on late June 28, President Quang had ameeting in Moscow with representatives of Vietnamese people, students andbusinesses in Russia.-VNA