(VNA) - Leaders of Vietnam and Russia have exchanged greetings on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (January 30, 1950-2015).

In their message, President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung underlined that the Vietnam-Russia friendship has endured all challenges, proving its strong vitality and constant growth. They affirmed that the friendship is an invaluable asset that the two nations have worked together to build and preserve throughout the past 65 years. It is also a great strength and a firm foundation for the two countries to develop their cooperation, the leaders said.

“The Vietnamese people will forever keep in their mind and be grateful for the great political, economic and military support and help that your country has given us during the hardest moments in our struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as in our current national construction and development,” the message read.

Meanwhile, President V. Putin wrote in his message to President Truong Tan Sang that in 1950, the Soviet Union was one of the first countries to extend help to an independent Vietnam, and since then the two countries have established firm relations of friendship and alliance.

“I am pleased to note that the Russia-Vietnam relations are continuing to develop strongly in all fields on the basis of glorious traditions in the past,” he wrote.

President Putin, Prime Minister D. Medvedev and leaders of the Russian Federal Assembly all stressed the readiness to cooperate actively with Vietnamese partners in carrying out major bilateral projects in the fields of economy-trade, investment, industry, energy, military technology and the humanities.

They said the signing of a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam will open up great prospects for further strengthening cooperative ties.

Leaders of both countries emphasized that the Vietnam-Russia relationship is typical for its friendship, comradeship and mutual sharing and support. They took note of the strong development of cooperation in all fields, meeting both countries’ needs in their development and international integration process.

The leaders shared the view that more efforts are needed to constantly deepen the two countries’ comprehensive partnership in order to elevate the Vietnam-Russia ties to new heights, meeting the interests and aspirations of both nations and for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also exchanged messages of greetings with Foreign Minister S. Lavrov