Lavrov made the above statement in a press conference on July 6 following his talks with Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son.
"This is a return visit, after Foreign Minister of Viet Nam Bui Thanh Son visited me in Moscow last September. We exchange visits annually, so it is an absolutely normal diplomatic practice", he stated.
Lavrov, who has concluded his two-day working visit to Viet Nam, noted that, he had lengthy and intensive talks with Foreign Minister Bui.
Both sides discussed bilateral relations primarily as they apply to implementing the agreements reached by the Presidents of two countries in late 2021, and as part of implementing the Joint Statement on Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and Viet Nam signed in 2012.
"We had an in-depth discussion on international affairs, our cooperation at the UN and processes unfolding in the Asia-Pacific region with an emphasis on enhancing Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership", he emphasized.
The talks were held at the most opportune time and made it possible for both nations to outline specific steps to deepen cooperation across all areas without exception, including the humanitarian sphere, education and defense cooperation.
In term of economic prospects between the two nations, Lavrov supposed that Vietnamese businesses are well aware of the relevance and benefits of continued economic and investment ties with the Russian Federation.
Viet Nam and Russia enjoy close and structured cooperation in the energy sector. Joint companies engage in hydrocarbon production and deliveries to international markets.
"Today, we reaffirmed the fact that these enterprises will remain operational. We discussed other trade and economy-related projects, including in the car industry, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, to name a few", he underscored.
Importantly, despite the pandemic-related restrictions, the bilateral trade grew by a quarter in 2021, and this trend has remained stable in the first months of this year, added the Russian diplomat.
During his visit, Lavrov paid courtesy calls on Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
At these meetings, Lavrov affirmed Russia always considers Viet Nam one of its major partners in the region and expects to further consolidate cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation.
Lavrov spoke highly of Viet Nam's position, role and positive and responsible contributions to peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world.
He agreed on the importance of settling disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea./.