• Vietnam-Russia friendship association holds congress 

He was speaking at a meeting with media agencies in HCM City on February 17 to mark the 62^nd anniversary of Vietnam-Ruassia diplomatic ties (January 30) and Russia’s Diplomatic Day (February 10). He reaffirmed Russia’s policy of developing equal relations with all nations, including Vietnam, for mutual benefits.

In response to reporters’ questions on Russia-Vietnam relations, Borovik expressed his belief that they will continue to grow and flourish in the future.

In this connection, he proposed both countries renovate ways of cooperation, with a focus on economics, trade, energy, banking, high technology, education, culture, tourism and social affairs.

Borovik described 2011 as an important year for both countries to bring the signed agreements to life and get major projects off the ground. Two-way trade reached US$2.5 billion while bilateral cooperation in energy, telecommunications, mining, computer science, and national defence was in full swing.