Traditional ties to be at new height
Ha Noi, March 1 (VNA)-- Russian President V. Putin's visit to Viet Nam is of historical importance as it ushers in a period for higher development of traditional Viet Nam-Russia relations, says Nhan Dan - the People - daily in its editorial today, March 1.
In its editorial welcoming President V. Putin, who arrived in Ha Noi yesterday evening for an offical friendship visit, Quan Doi Nhan Dan, the newspaper of the People's Army also underlines the significance of the visit as a milestone in the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Russia in the 21st century.
Hailing the achievements recorded by the Russian people in political, socio-economic and other fields following a decade of drastic political and economic changes, Nhan Dan points out that Russia's political situation has gradually stabilised and economy recovered thanks to efforts taken to boost reforms, especially since V. Putin became President of the Russian Federation.
The paper appreciates Russia's foreign policy with which it is striving to "make a balance between the West and the East in a bid to create an environment more favourable for implementing reforms in Russia and maintain the position and prestige" of Russia. The policy has attached great importance to strengthening ties with countries in the Asian-Pacific region, including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN.
"This Viet Nam visit, the first ever by a top Kremlin leader to the country since Viet Nam established diplomatic relations with the former Soviet Union on Jan. 30, 1950, is part of a strategy to expand relations with these countries to which Russia gives its priority.
Nhan Dan and Quan Doi Nhan Dan say that the Vietnamese people treasure the time-honoured traditional ties between Viet Nam and Russia, an active member of the former Soviet Union which rendered great support and assistance to the country over the past years.
The papers say during this visit, Vietnamese and Russian leaders will discuss at length orientation and measures to further boost the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, bringing these traditional ties to a new height.-- VNA
