Vietnam is considered an important coordinator between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Russia, particularly with regard to the latter’s look east policy.

At an international seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on September 15th, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan gave an overview of the current situation and the prospects for developing cooperation between Vietnam, ASEAN and Russia further.

Delegates at the seminar. Photo: qdnd.vn

In addition to Vietnam, Russia is developing trade ties with other ASEAN members, such as Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. They are working together in a number of fields, from politics, economics and defence-security to culture, education and tourism.

However, the achievements made so far fall short of the full cooperation potential, the Vice President noted. She suggested participants review the cooperation between ASEAN and Russia area-by-area, as well as the respective contributions to peace, stability and development in the Asian-Pacific region.

Participants discussed measures to strengthen bilateral relations, including cooperation agreements between Russia and each ASEAN member, with a particular focus on Vietnam – one of Russia’s earliest economic partners.

Vietnam boasts a long-standing friendship with Russia and prioritises the enhancement of multidimensional cooperation between the two countries, according to Prof. Dr Ta Ngoc Tan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

In fact, cooperation on energy and military technology was a guarantee for the sustainability of the relationship in future, he added.

Last year, trade between Russia and Vietnam increased by 12.6 percent, reaching a total value of USD 2.758 billion.

Source: VNA