Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Russia sought measures to step up their bilateralties, and discussed regional and international issues of share concern duringtheir 11th strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence and security inHanoi on March 6.

Thedialogue was co-chaired by Vietnam’s Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister BuiThanh Son and First Deputy Foreign Minister ofRussia Vladimir Titov.

The sides highlighted the trustworthy and close relationshipbetween the two countries and peoples, and rejoiced at the positivedevelopments of the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership over thepast time.

They said diverse activities have been held within theVietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam (2019-2020) to mark the70th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the treaty on fundamental principles of the Vietnam-Russiafriendship.

Officials also reviewed the implementation of high-levelagreements reached during official visits to Russia by Party General SecretaryNguyen Phu Trong in 2018, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National AssemblyChairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan last year, among others.

Thetwo sides affirmed their resolve to maintain and push the dynamic growthmomentum of cooperation across spheres, ranging from politics to economy-trade,national defence-security, science-technology, education-training, culture andtourism, as well as collaboration between localities.

Theyagreed to effectively realise the free trade agreement between Vietnam and theEurasian Economic Union in order to raise trade between the two countries to 10billion USD.

Theyalso shared the views on the profound changes of the regional and internationalsituation, and the need to step up information exchange and close coordinationat multilateral forums, especially at the time when Vietnam serves as anon-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021 and the ASEANChair in 2020.

Vietnamaffirmed the importance the country attaches to Russia’s role and voice in globalissues and security, while Russia lauded Vietnam’s increasing position in theregion and the world at large, as well as the Southeast Asian country’s activerole in ASEAN, the UN Security Council (UNSC) and multilateral forums.

Theycommitted to joining hands at the UN and other multilateral forums, and workingtogether to contribute to maintaining peace and stability in Asia-Pacific andthe world.

Thesides also applauded the progress of the ASEAN-Russia relationship over thepast time, and pledged that Vietnam and Russia will continue with their closecoordination to advance the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership.

Theyexpressed their support for settling disputes in the East Sea by peacefulmeasures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and the Declaration on theConduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards an effective and efficientCode of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Laterthe same day, the two deputy foreign ministers co-hosted a press conference onthe outcomes of the dialogue, during which they stressed that the dialoguedemonstrates a high spirit of cooperation.

TheRussian official expressed his hope for more high-level delegation exchangesbetween the two countries in the time ahead to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties, while the host Deputy FM reiteratedthat as the ASEAN Chair in 2020, Vietnam stands ready to closely coordinatewith Russia to promote the cooperation agenda between ASEAN and Russia,focusing on priority areas set by the grouping.

Vietnamappreciated Russia’s support for the country’s month-long UNSC presidency, andpromised to continue its coordination with Russia to ensure the workingprogramme and push ahead with the settlement of issues of internationalconcern, thus ensuring global peace, stability and security.

TheRussian Deputy FM also spoke highly of Vietnam’s support for Russia’sinitiatives in various fields.

Thetwo sides compared notes on new cooperation orientations to spur regional andglobal growth./.