Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (L) shakes hands with St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov (Photo: VNA)Moscow (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia DangMinh Khoi has met with St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov during hisfirst trip to the Russian city after taking office.
Beglov said that the city considers cooperation with Vietnama priority in its foreign relations, adding that despite impacts of the COVID-19pandemic, the partnership between the two sides has been strengthened throughonline meetings.
He expressed his hope to continue boosting ties withVietnam, while giving specific proposals such as the construction of a statueof President Ho Chi Minh and the opening of a Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Cultureand Business in St. Petersburg, as well as a similar centre of St. Petersburgin HCM City soon.
For his part, Ambassador Khoi affirmed that Vietnameseleaders have attached great importance to boosting ties with Russia,considering it a top priority in the country’s external relations.
He said that a large number of Vietnamese students studyingin Russia have helped foster connections between the two nations.
The diplomat expressed his hope that the two sides will worktogether to accelerate the project of building the President Ho Chi Minh statueso as to inaugurate in 2023 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of theVietnamese leader’s first arrival in the city.
Ambassador Khoi gave a number of ideas to further promotethe friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam andRussia, as well as cooperation in fighting COVID-19 between the two countriesand between Ho Chi Minh City and St. Petersburg.
He said that Vietnam highly values contributions of Russianscientists in COVID-19 vaccine development, and hopes that St. Petersburg willshare its experience in COVID-19 prevention and control with and support COVID-19vaccines for Vietnam.
The ambassador suggested that St. Petersburg continue tocreate favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the city to live,work and study, while strengthening people-to-people exchanges and enhancingcooperation in education and training with Vietnam. He proposed organizing aVietnamese Culture Day in St. Petersburg.
During his visit from July 13-15, Ambassador Khoi also had ameeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community in the city./.
VNA
