Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (left) and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in a joint press conference on September 28. (Photo: VNA)

Main activities during Son’s visit were covered by state news agency TASS, international news agency Russia Today, Sputnik news agency, TV channel Chanel One, financial news channel Vesti and other websites.

The Russian press highly appreciated the close cooperation between Viet Nam and the Russia in many important fields, emphasising the similarities and stance coordination between the two countries’ agencies for external affairs on current international issues.

RIA Novosti news agency quoted Son as saying that Viet Nam considers Russia an important strategic partner, and the two countries have cooperated closely in special important fields.

TASS cited the Vietnamese FM’s statement in a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov as reporting that Vietnam and Russia shared similar views on many global issues.

“While discussing the situation in the Asia Pacific, we reiterated that all regional disagreements should be resolved peacefully based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” TASS wrote.

Answering a question raised by the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA)’s reporter on cooperation prospects between the two countries, Son said oil and gas cooperation is an important pillar and one of the most effective cooperation areas in the Viet Nam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Most of Russia’s oil and gas corporations such as Zarubezhneft, Gazprom and Rosneft have been carrying out oil and gas projects in Viet Nam, of which Vietsovpetro joint venture is a vivid symbol of the Viet Nam-Russia friendship, he said.

Rusvietpetro oil and gas joint venture is also operating very effectively in Russia, Son said, expressing his wish that there will be more effective joint ventures such as Vietsovpetro and Rusvietpetro in the future.

“The oil and gas cooperation between our countries has passed through many challenges, and I can confirm that nothing can threaten or challenge our cooperation in this strategic area," he said.

With the solid foundation of solidarity, traditional friendship and mutual trust, Son was confident that the two nations would continue to expand and deepen the cooperation in the oil and gas sector as well as beefing up collaboration in the fields of renewable energy and new energy.

The Vietnamese FM affirmed that the energy cooperation between Viet Nam and Russia has not only served the interest of the two countries but also contributed to peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development in the region./.