President of Vietnam: ASEAN - Russia partnership makes good progress

Over its 20-year history, dialogue partnership relations between ASEAN and Russia have achieved important results, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang said in an interview with TASS in Hanoi.

Vietnam favours Russia's closer participation in ASEAN cooperation mechanisms and forums on a regular basis, above all, in those such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus and East Asia Summits.

"As an ASEAN member and Russia's close friend and strategic partner, Vietnam will continue to serve as a bridge between the association and the Russian Federation. Due to the development of ASEAN — Russia partnership, the role and positions of Vietnam and Russia in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific region will strengthen, which will make an important contribution to the maintenance of peace, stability, development and prosperity throughout the world," he said.