Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

Prime Minister Chinh on Wednesday received Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is visiting Vietnam on the 10th anniversary of the two countries' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Foreign Minister Lavrov affirmed that Russia always considers Vietnam an important partner in the region and wants to further strengthen cooperation with Vietnam. He applauded Vietnam's stance, active and responsible contribution to peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the wider world. Minister Lavrov expressed support for the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means on the basis of international law and hoped for an early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is visiting Vietnam. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

Prime Minister Chinh suggested that both soon remove difficulties in trade, investment, transportation, among others and continue efforts to make effective use of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, creating favorable conditions for businesses of the two countries to expand cooperation. They also stressed the need to restore cooperation in culture, sports, tourism, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges as the COVID-19 pandemic is under control.

Prime Minister Chinh conveyed an invitation to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.