Stronger ties with Vietnam remain priority for Russia - official.

16/3 Tass 347

MOSCOW, March 16 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander
Zhukov said on Tuesday strengthening relations with Vietnam remains a
priority in Russia's foreign policy, at
a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Thien Nhan.

"Vietnam is our long-standing friend and partner, and strengthening
relations with Vietnam remains among the priorities in Russia's foreign
policy," Zhukov said.
He noted that "our countries are conducting a very active dialogue at
all levels."
"Recently, Russia's Minister of Culture Alexander Avdeyev was in
Vietnam, and a accord was reached on a good cultural exchange program,"
the Russian official said.
At present, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade is on a visit to
Vietnam. He is holding talks with his colleague from the intergovernmental
commission.
For his part, Nguyen Thien Nhan underlined that "Russia and Vietnam
are linked by more than five decades of relations."
The Vietnamese official held talks with Science and Education Minister
Andrei Fursenko over further development and strengthening of cooperation
in education and science. He also met with the rectors of leading Russian
colleges.
In the course of his visit, Nguyen Thien Nhan went to opera theatres
in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
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