At the reception given to Russian Ambassador Kovtun Andrey Grigorievich, both host and guest expressed delight at recent positive developments in bilateral ties.

Based on their traditional friendship, Vietnam-Russia relations have expanded to the level of reliable strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation, they said.

Leaders of the two nations have worked together closely and established a mechanism for regular dialogues to discuss issues of mutual concern and implement yearly prioritised tasks to promote their strategic partnership.

Alongside with the time-honoured political ties, bilateral cooperation in the fields of economics, trade and investment has grown fruitfully as well as in security, national defence, science-technology, culture, education, tourism and cooperative relations amongst localities.

They also agreed that Vietnam and Russia have coordinated regularly at regional and international forums.

President Triet affirmed that Vietnam is determined to preserve and elevate its comprehensive and faithful relationship with the Russian Federation .

The State leader proposed the two countries join hands to organise important activities scheduled for 2010, including Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to Russia and Vietnam visits by President Dmitry Medvedev and the Senate Speaker, celebrations for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and a high-level Russia-ASEAN meeting.

For his part, Grigorievich said Vietnam is one of the Russian Federation ’s most important partners. With their traditional friendship as a foundation, the Russian Federation wishes to further strengthen and beef up bilateral relations with Vietnam to match their potential, he added.

During separate talks, President Triet and Kuwaiti Ambassador Hamad Saleh Al-Jutaili, Bangladeshi Ambassador Supradip Chakma, Panamanian Ambassador Eduardo Antonio Young Virzi, Pakistani Ambassador Shahid M.G Kiani and Sri Lankan Ambassador Kalahe Gamage Ivan Amarasinghe looked into measures to boost Vietnam ’s relations with these nations.

The President asserted that Vietnam wants to consolidate and expand its relationship with these countries, particularly in politics, economics, trade and investment.

He urged the ambassadors to work closely with concerned Vietnamese agencies to increase the exchange of visits at all levels, boost the sharing of experiences and enhance mutual understanding to elevate relations to new heights.

The diplomats pledged to fulfil their tasks, contributing to the consolidation and expansion of friendly and cooperative ties between their countries and Vietnam./.