Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese President To Lamꦺ and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held talks following a state-level welcome ceremony for the latter෴ in Hanoi on June 20.

President Lam emphasised the significance of the visit, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations between the two nations (1994-2024). He also congratulated the Russian people on their achievements under President Putin's leadership and the Russian President on the high support he obtained in the March presidential election. He affirmed that the Vietnamese people always appreciate the heartfelt support and assistance from the Russian people during Vietnam’s past struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as the current process of national construction and defence. The leader stressed that implementing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, and cooperation, Vietnam regards Russia as one of its most important partners and wants to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations for the benefit of their people and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. President Putin expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam for the fifth time and stated that Russia values its traditional friendship and multifaceted collaboration with Vietnam in its “look east” policy. He stressed that strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam is Russia's top priority in the Asia-Pacific region and hoped his current visit would enhance the ties and the two countries’ win-win multifaceted cooperation. Expressing his satisfaction with sound political relations and high mutual trust between Vietnam and Russia, both leaders noted that recent exchanges of delegations at all levels, particularly high-level ones, have boosted the bilateral cooperation. They agreed to enhance political dialogues and exchanges at all levels, especially high-level and top-level, through the Party, State, and National Assembly channels, and to educate younger generations about the traditional friendship to continuously fortify political trust and create a foundation conducive to increasing bilateral cooperation across all fields. The leaders also praised the active partnership in education-training, culture, science, and technology. To further mutual understanding and friendship, they agreed to enhance collaboration between the nations’ twinned localities, increase youth exchanges, and expand aviation cooperation to promote tourism. Regarding the education area, President Putin agreed with the host leader's proposal to increase scholarships for Vietnamese students, particularly in basic sciences and cultural arts, which are Russia's strengths. The two sides concurred to facilitate tourism by negotiating and signing agreements to simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens and to promote labour cooperation by negotiating and signing agreements on vocational training and labour. They expressed their desire to enhance cooperation in national defence-security, especially in addressing non-traditional security challenges and coordinating closely at defence-security multilateral forums, especially ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM ), all in accordance with international principles and regulations. President Lam affirmed Vietnam's willingness to act as a bridge between Russia and ASEAN, contributing positively and responsibly to ensuring peace, stability, and development in the Asia-Pacific and the world. On global and regional issues of shared concern, both leaders supported the establishment of a democratic, fair international relations system based on international law and the United Nations Charter, especially not using force or threatening to use force, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful settlement of disputes. They committed to close coordination at multilateral forums, particularly the UN and APEC, and within the ASEAN-Russia, ASEAN-Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and ASEAN-Eurasian Economic Union frameworks. Additionally, they voiced support for ASEAN's central role in the regional architecture of the Asia-Pacific and agreed to further strengthen the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership for the benefit of both nations and for global and regional peace, stability and development. President Putin affirmed Russia’s support for Vietnam in successfully hosting the APEC Year 2027. Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides supported ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, not using force or threatening to use force, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also expressed support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early finalisation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). About the conflict in Ukraine, President Lam reaffirmed Vietnam's stance on supporting the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law and UN Charter, taking into account the legitimate interests of all parties involved. Vietnam is willing to join international mediation efforts with the participation of relevant stakeholders to seek a sustainable peaceful solution to the Ukraine issue, he said. The talks concluded with both sides expressing joy at the upcoming celebrations of significant milestones in their bilateral relations, especially the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s national reunification. President Putin extended his invitation to President Lam to attend the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism in Russia’s Great Patriotic War. The Vietnamese leader accepted the invitation with pleasure. Finally, the two Presidents witnessed the exchange of several bilateral cooperation documents in various fields, including education-training, transport, justice, customs, finance and science-technology./.