A view of the meeting. (Photo: VNA)Khoi briefed hisguests on the situation of Vietnamese expats in Russia, saying many Vietnamesehave been granted Russian nationality and Russia has become their secondhomeland. Before the COVID-19 broke out, more than 600,000 Russians visitedVietnam annually, which formed a crucial foundation for promoting people-to-peoplediplomacy between the two sides, he said.
“For me, only a heart-to-heart relationship is one thatis the most enduring, sincere, important and effective,” he said, expressing hisdelight at meeting with loyal Russian friends of Vietnam.
The diplomat highly spoke of the Russia - VietnamFriendship Association as many of its members have been working tirelessly tofoster the bilateral friendship despite their old age.
He also expected young generations will follow theirseniors’ footsteps to help strengthen the Vietnam - Russia comprehensive strategicpartnership and proposed the two sides establish a forum for people-to-peopleexchange.
Highly valuing the Vietnam - Russia long-standingrelations, Khoi said the two countries have maintained the regular exchange ofhigh-level delegations with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting Vietnam five times. The two sides have also sustained regular contactsvia emails, phone talks, and virtual meetings amid the COVID-19 pandemic and areworking together to prepare for official visits of Vietnamese leaders to Russiaand the conclusion of the Vietnam - Russia and Russia - Vietnam Friendship Year.
He moved on to say that Vietnamese cuisine has been expandingits presence in Russia and that he looks forward to receiving support from the two countries' associations for the organisation of Vietnamese cultural events weekly atpublic places in Russia.
The ambassador pledged to do his utmost, together with competent authorities, to bolster economic cooperation between the two countries forthe benefit of their people.
Chairman of the association of Russian former militaryexperts serving in Vietnam Nikolai Kolesnik, for his part, recalled his memoriesduring his on-duty time in Vietnam and made several recommendations to boostpeople-to-people cooperation between the two sides./.
VNA
