Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed their delight at the new development steps in the two countries’ relations in Sydney, Australia, on September 6 on the sidelines of the 19 th APEC Ministerial Meeting.

The two sides also discussed ways to boost the relationship between the two countries and foreign ministries.

Deputy PM and FM Khiem expressed his hope that Viet Nam and Russia would promote bilateral cooperation in trade, science, technology, education and training and culture.

He took the occasion to affirm Viet Nam’s consistent policy of attaching importance to the traditional friendship and strategic partnership with Russia. He also touched upon the preparations for the success of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung’s upcoming visit to Russia.

The Russian FM singled out Viet Nam’s great achievements, affirming “Russia is interested in and wants to forge its ties with Viet Nam, especially in trade and investment.”

Regarding education and training, the Russian diplomat went on to say: “Russia is willing to help train Vietnamese students at both under-graduate and postgraduate levels.”

He thanked Viet Nam for its support to Russia’s participation in regional mechanisms, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

The same day, on the sidelines of the 19 th APEC Ministerial Meeting that took place on September 5 and 6, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang met his Canadian counterpart. The two sides agreed to start negotiation on their investment encouragement agreement.-(VNA)