(VOVworld) – Russia and Vietnam have nurtured a special relationship, cooperation, and mutual trust. The view was shared by Russian experts at a seminar held by the Institute of Oriental Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences on the threshold of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to Russia.

Overview of the seminar (Photo: VNA)

Dimitry Mosyakov, Director of the Centre for Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania of the Institute said Vietnam and ASEAN in general is a priority in Russia’s “Turn to the East” policy.

Astafieva Mikhailovna, Secretary of the Centre hailed the traditional relations between Russia and Vietnam, which, she said, should be broadened from politics to economics as well. Mikhailovna added that Vietnam is Russia’s close friend in the East Asia.

According to the Centre’s top researcher, Grigory Lokshin, Russia always considers Vietnam a gateway to penetrate into the Southeast Asian market. The two countries have gained fruitful cooperation, mutual trust, and reliable friendship that have stood the test of time and hard circumstances, even the wars.