General Secretary To Lam hosted Nikolai Patrusev, assistant to the Russian President and Chairman of the Russian Federation Maritime Board, at the Party Central Committee headquarters on 16/9, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The General Secretary emphasized Vietnam's need to become a strong maritime nation to achieve its strategic development goals. He requested Russia, as a major maritime power, to support and cooperate with Vietnam on a mutually beneficial basis, in line with the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

General Secretary To Lam and Nikolai Patrusev, assistant to the Russian President and Chairman of the Russian Federation Maritime Board, in Hanoi on 16/9. Photo: TTXVN

The General Secretary asked the Russian Maritime Board and Mr. Patrusev to support and promote cooperation with Vietnam in maritime policy research, marine and oceanographic scientific research, maritime infrastructure development, sea transportation routes, warehousing systems, human resource training, and assistance in sustainable and efficient management and exploitation of maritime space.

Mr. Patrusev affirmed that Russia values its comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam, one of its most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

He stated that he would report to President Vladimir Putin to coordinate the implementation of cooperation in maritime and other areas between the two countries. He also confirmed Russia's readiness to cooperate closely with Vietnam in building and completing international shipping routes, using Vietnam's deep-water ports as regional and international logistics hubs.

Both sides praised the results of cooperation within the framework of the Tropical Center and agreed on the need to enhance its effectiveness, as well as expand and elevate cooperation in scientific research, development and application of new technologies, materials, and other products and technologies.

The General Secretary affirmed his support for Russia's enhanced role and voice in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, and requested Russia to support the stance and views of Vietnam and ASEAN regarding the South China Sea based on compliance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.

Mr. Patrusev awarded the General Secretary the "For Cooperation in the Maritime Field" medal to recognize his contributions to bilateral relations and his guiding role in maritime cooperation.

President Luong Cuong and Nikolai Patrusev, assistant to the Russian President and Chairman of the Russian Federation Maritime Board, in Hanoi on 16/9. Photo: TTXVN

On the same day, at the Presidential Palace, President Luong Cuong received Mr. Patrusev and requested the Russian Maritime Board's support in promoting cooperation and assisting Vietnam in maritime space, as well as in traditional and core areas such as defense and security, energy and oil, economics and trade, education and training, and transportation.

Mr. Patrusev assessed that bilateral cooperation has much potential and room for development, affirming that the Russian Maritime Board will support increased scientific and technical research cooperation in the maritime field.

The two sides agreed to strengthen the mechanism of mutual consultation between specialized agencies to address difficulties and obstacles and promote cooperation in all fields.

Nguyen Tien