ISTANBUL

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, to discuss bilateral cooperation and congratulate him on his re-election, the Kremlin said Saturday.

“The two sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to dynamically developing the entire range of relations in the spirit of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” the Kremlin said in a statement, adding that the leaders agreed to maintain contacts at various levels.

During the call, Putin and Lam discussed prospects for further deepening Russian-Vietnamese cooperation across political, trade, economic and energy sectors.

Putin also congratulated Lam on securing re-election as head of the ruling party during the 14th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the statement said.