(VOVworld) – Vietnam considers the Sochi summit a lever for the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and ASEAN in the fields of politics, security, economy, and culture said Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Nguyen Thanh Son in an interview with the RIA-Novosti news agency ahead of the Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi, Russia, on Thursday and Friday.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Nguyen Thanh Son (Photo:VNA)

Son said cooperation between Russia and ASEAN will help to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Son said the Vietnam-EAEU free trade agreement will facilitate access to the Vietnamese market for union members’ products.

Son highlighted the prospect of exporting to the EAEU Vietnamese rice, fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, and light industrial products.

According to Ambassador Son, the two countries have a potential for cooperation in oil and gas exploration and exploitation.

Currently, the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and several Russian groups including Gazprom, Rosneft, and Zarubezhneft are cooperating on oil and gas exploration and exploitation on the continental shelf of Vietnam, Russia, and several other countries.