Konstantin Kosachev: Russian MPs are ready to promote relations with Vietnam

Federation Council Vice-Speaker Konstantin Kosachev met with Foreign Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son. Senators Vyacheslav Nagovitsin and Olga Yepifanova, members of the parliamentary group on cooperation with the National Assembly of Vietnam, also took part in the talks.

“Vietnam has been and remains a close and reliable partner of Russia in Southeast Asia,” Konstantin Kosachev said. He emphasised that bilateral relations are steadily developing, including at the highest level.

“Our interparliamentary dialogue is as intensive as ever. We are interested in promoting our relations with Vietnam in every way. We hope to continue the cooperation between related committees of the Federation Council and the National Assembly of Vietnam, in part, on the sidelines of the upcoming Eurasian Women’s Forum in St Petersburg,” Konstantin Kosachev said.

Bui Thanh Son noted that Russia is an important strategic partner for Vietnam and that Vietnamese MPs want to continue cooperating with their Russian colleagues, including at different international venues.

The Vietnamese foreign minister noted with satisfaction the well-established mechanisms of regional cooperation between the two countries. He emphasised the importance of exchanging experience in lawmaking and expressed confidence that the MPs of both countries would continue monitoring the implementation of earlier-signed interstate agreements.

Bui Thanh Son said Vietnam is interested in developing relations with Russia in defence, security, science, trade and education.

The participants discussed in detail the current issues on the bilateral agenda, such as the efforts to counter the coronavirus infection, the further development of regional cooperation and inter-parliamentary contacts.

Konstantin Kosachev expressed hope that Vietnam representatives would take an active part in the World Conference on Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue in St Petersburg next May.