The message to President Tran Duc Luong says, in part:
“The past decades have proved long-established friendly ties and all-round partnership of the Russian Federation and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Now, on the threshold of a new millennium, dynamically progressing Russian-Vietnamese contacts promote the establishment of a multi-centred world order and reliably guarantee Asian-Pacific peace and stability.
“I firmly believe that through joint efforts, we will implement August 1998 summit decisions aiming to upgrade Russian-Vietnamese relations to strategic partnership.”
The message to Prime Minister Phan Van Khai says:
“Due to consistent efforts of the two governments and nations, friendly Russo-Vietnamese ties and contacts in all spheres have withstood the test of time and received a steady impetus. Praiseworthy traditions established within the preceding decades, and the great co-operation potential provide a sound basis for further progress of our partnership.
“The goal we have posed – to upgrade bilateral relations to strategic partnership – promotes Russian and Vietnamese national interests, and will help strengthen peace and stability in the Asian-Pacific region.”