National Assembly chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung on March 9 arrived in St
Petersburg, beginning an official visit to Russia at the invitation
of Chairwoman of the Federation Council (Upper House) of Russia’s
Federal Assembly Valentina Matviyenko.
Immediately
after his arrival, Hung met with Igor Divinsky, acting governor of St
Petersburg, who said the city is willing to cooperate with localities
of Vietnam in the areas of economy, culture, tourism and education,
contributing to a more fruitful and effective cooperation between the
two countries’ ties.
Chairman Hung affirmed that his
visit aims to further foster and deepen the traditional relations and
comprehensive strategic partnership between the two States, Assemblies
and peoples of Russia and Vietnam.
He
reiterated that Russia is the leading important partner in the foreign
policy of Vietnam, and suggested that St Petersburg increase cooperation
with the capital city of Hanoi, the southern Ho Chi Minh city and the
central province of Nghe An, particularly in protecting cultural values
as well as tapping tourism potential.
He also asked
St Petersburg to continue support and creating favourable conditions
for Vietnamese expatriate community to have a stable life and live in
harmony with the locals, contributing to the development of the host
city as well as the friendship between the two countries.
Russia is the first leg of the NA Chairman’s tour to three
European countries which later will take him to Germany and Poland.-VNA