Official website of the President of Russia

Документ   /

Vladimir Putin also noted that in 2015 Russia and Vietnam mark 65 years of diplomatic relations.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends, allow me to once again welcome you in Moscow. Thank you for accepting the invitation and coming to Moscow to celebrate the 70^th Victory anniversary.

I would like to use this opportunity to yet again congratulate you, Mr President, and all the people of Vietnam on the 40^th anniversary of the restoration of your country’s territorial integrity, the reunification of the country’s north and south. My congratulations go not only to the entire friendly Vietnamese people, but to you personally as a participant in combat action. The people of Vietnam know like no other people the trials brought by war and the value of peace.

This year we mark another date – the 65^th anniversary of the restoration of our diplomatic relations. We maintain a very rhythmic political dialogue and develop our strategic partnership. I am very happy to have this opportunity to discuss our bilateral relations with you.

President of Vietnam Truong Tan Sang (retranslated): Comrade Putin, comrades, first, I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to meet with you, despite your very busy schedule these days.

I would also like to use this opportunity to congratulate you on behalf of our leadership on the 70^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

We highly value this victory. It laid the foundation for the struggle for independence by various peoples of the world – in Asia, Africa and America. It also became a precondition for the victory of our revolution in August 1945.

This is also a chance to confirm the traditional nature of relations between our two countries. We would like to further these relations – this is one of the key priorities of our foreign policy.

We are fully aware of the fact that everything Vietnam has achieved today is, of course, a result of maximum efforts on the part of the Vietnamese people, however Vietnam also accepted help and assistance from its international friends, including Russia.

It was a great honour for us to take part in the parade on Red Square this morning. We could feel the spirit of victory. All the songs, the music we heard today in Red Square are also very dear to us, Vietnamese people.

<…>