THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
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THE FOREIGN MINISTER

To Participants in and Guests of the third Russia-Vietnam Industrial Exhibition “Expo-Russia Vietnam 2019”
I welcome both participants in and guests of the third Russia-Vietnam industrial exhibition “Expo-Russia Vietnam 2019”.
In Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a long-standing and reliable friend of Russia. For nearly seven decades, relations between the two states serve as a model of an equal, mutually beneficial, and all-weather cooperation.
Today, our links have reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Its integral component is our trade and economic cooperation, which have been demonstrating strong positive momentum. “Expo-Russia Vietnam” makes a significant contribution to building practical co-operation. This forum has proved itself as a top requested platform for information exchange, meetings, coordination of promising joint projects and programs in a wide range of areas.
What is giving the exhibition special meaning and significance, is that it is held within the framework of the Year of Russia in Vietnam and the Year of Vietnam in Russia. I wish the participants fruitful work and all the best.
                                                                                                                                                                           

 /signature/ SERGEY V. LAVROV

Moscow, “1” November 2019