VLADIMIR PUTIN: RUSSIAN-VIETNAMESE RELATIONS ARE NOT CORRUPTED BY MOMENTARY GAINS OF POLITICS








HANOI, MARCH 2, 2001, /FROM RIA NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT MARIANNA SHATIKHINA/ -- Vladimir Putin has appreciated the hearty welcome that graduates of Soviet and Russian higher school accorded him in Hanoi. Moreover, he was impelled to say "I wish I had taken part in all six previous meetings". By the way, I am a graduate of a USSR institute too, Mr Putin added in Vietnamese.


	Most graduates, who get their education in the USSR and Russia "have made a brilliant career in Vietnam and have occupied high positions there". The more important thing is that these Russian-speaking people have introduced Russian culture into Vietnam and that they love Russia as Russians, the president stressed.


	Today's meeting is the embodiment of Russian-Vietnamese friendship cultivated by all of you from the very outset, the president said. During the meeting, Mr Putin also addressed the Vietnamese students studying Russian and called them to "preserve the values acquired by the two nations" and to promote their closer cooperation.


	The Russian-Vietnamese close national ties have never been corrupted by momentary gains of politics, the President emphasized.


	Vietnam has shown an impressive example of transition from centralized to market-oriented economy. Russian people has taken heed of peaceful process in this country, as it was in the past when Russians were not indifferent to struggle of Vietnamese people for independence. Moreover, the Russian people are sure that the people of Vietnam "will create prosperity and I want we work hand in hand", the Russian president said.


	In his address to the graduates, Vladimir Putin said "the two nations have good prospects for the future in trade-economic relations, particularly in cooperation in oil and gas production and R&D sphere.


	After the reception, Mr Putin visited the Presidential Palace and held a brief meeting with President Tran Duc Luong of Vietnam.


	Then, the Russian President is to be seen off to the airport to leave Vietnam for Moscow.