VietNamNet Bridge – Russia’s policy for the Asia-Pacific region prioritises the task of reinforcing its traditional friendship and coordination of actions with Vietnam, said a top Russian diplomat on February 7.

Minister Counsellor Hovaev Igor of the Russian Embassy in Hanoi made the affirmation at a press conference given to Vietnamese correspondents, where he also answered questions relating to the Vietnamese community in his country.

The Minister Counsellor said Russia is willing to deal with issues relating to Vietnamese expatriates in his country under the spirit of strategic partnership and cooperation, referring to Moscow’s ban on foreign retailers (3% of them are Vietnamese) in markets and kiosks in Russia as of April 1.

Hovaev Igor stressed that Russia is developing at a good pace and needs Vietnamese labourers working in the fields of production and service, suggesting that the two countries should soon conclude an agreement on Vietnamese labourers in Russia and improve regulations on fighting illegal immigration in order to protect the rights and interests of Vietnamese expatriates in Russia.

He urged the authorities of Hanoi and HCM City to speed up the construction of trade centres in Moscow to facilitate trade ties between the two nations.

(Source: VNA)