Vietnam-Russia relationship expected to grow and flourish

Also in 2010, many important events were held to strengthen the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Russia.

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrei Grigorievich Kovtun, granted a VOV reporter an interview about the relationship in 2010 and its direction for 2011.

VOV: What are the most important achievements in the development of Vietnam-Russia relationship?

Mr Andrei G. Kovtun: Russia and Vietnam have been connected together by a multifaceted cooperation and traditional relations in politics, economy, culture, and education.

2010 marked a significant development in the Russia-Vietnam strategic partnership with various celebrations and events. The two countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the 65th anniversary of Russia’s Victory, the 65th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day, and the 35th anniversary of Vietnam’s Liberation Day.

Effective political dialogues at different levels laid a firm foundation for the development of the cooperation and motivated the implementation of major cooperative projects. Russian Ministers of Culture, Defence, Economic Development, Industry and Trade paid official visits to Vietnam. The cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs was tightened with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov’s participation in the ASEAN-Russia Ministerial Meeting and the 17th ASEAN Regional Forum on security in Hanoi. There were also Vietnam’s high-ranking delegations visiting Russia in 2010 such as the visit made by President Nguyen Minh Triet on the 65th anniversary of Russia’s Victory Day and one by the Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in July.

In addition, important agreements between the two countries were reached during the official visit to Vietnam made by President Dmitry Medvedev in October, contributing to developing the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

With the support of Vietnam, Russia finally became a member of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) and participated in the first ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting – Plus.
In 2010, 20 cooperation documents were signed between Russia and Vietnam. Cooperation in trade and economics proved its effectiveness as in the first 10 months of 2010, the two-way trade turnover reached US$1.8 billion, up 40 percent compared to the same period in 2009. The negotiation between the Custom Alliance and Vietnam for a Free Trade Agreement which started in October also reflects both sides’ effort to promote bilateral cooperation.

The two countries are joining their efforts to build the first nuclear power plant in Vietnam as they have signed an inter-governmental agreement on the issue. Many Vietnamese students have been sent to Russia to study nuclear physics. A training centre on nuclear energy was also established in the city of Moscow to help train Vietnamese experts.

Regarding cooperation in oil and gas, Russia and Vietnam agreed to extend the operational time of Vietsopetro, a leading joint-venture between the two countries. Under an agreement between Gazprom and Petro Vietnam, the Russian-based company is advancing oil exploration on the continental shelf of Vietnam.

Cooperation in the banking sector also proved effective as the Vietnam-Russia Joint Venture Bank, a joint venture between Bank for Foreign Trade of Russia and Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), decided to raise its capital to US$450 million in November.

In terms of science, technology, and culture, various events were held, such as Moscow Days in Hanoi and the Russian Cultural Days in Vietnam. In addition, the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Scientific-Technological Research Centre opened its branch in Moscow.

In conclusion, Russia-Vietnam traditional relationship has been expanded to many fields. With mutual respect and determination of both countries’ leaders and people, it is expected that the relationship will continue to grow and flourish.

VOV: What are the directions set for the development of Vietnam-Russia relationship in 2011?

Mr Andrei G. Kovtun: With the achievements made in 2010, we are all confident that the cooperation will be further promoted and expanded in 2011. In order to develop the strategic partnership between the two countries, it is necessary to enhance cooperation in energy, mechanics, telecommunications, and banking.

In addition to the construction of Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan province which is our top priority, Russia and Vietnam need to promote cooperation in other energy projects, including modernising power plants which were built with technical assistance of the Soviet Union.

The two countries should cooperate to take full advantage of their potentials in oil and gas and banking and find the best ways to promote the bilateral economic and trade relations. We are also working together to establish a Vietnam-Russia Technological University in Vietnam.

VOV: How important is ASEAN in Russia’s external relations and what do you think about Vietnam’s facilitating the relationship between Russia and ASEAN and Russia and the East Asian region?

Mr Andrei G. Kovtun: Russian President Medvedev has stressed the importance of the development of Russia’s relationship with Asian-Pacific countries in modernising the country. Russia is now designing an overall programme to reinforce its relationship with the Asian-Pacific region.

He said the successful construction of an Asia-Pacific House will benefit all countries which hope to have a developed and peaceful life. He is confident that the development of the Russia-ASEAN partnership will contribute to the achievement of the target.

Russia is an inseparable part of the Asian-Pacific region in terms of geography, history, politics, and economics. We, therefore, attach great importance to developing effective cooperation with the region, including Russia’s participation in the establishment of modern alliances to deal with challenges.

Vietnam is one of Russia’s key partners in the region and a gateway connecting Russia with ASEAN. We would like to thank for Vietnam’s support for Russia’s participation in resolving the region’s common issues.

VOV: Thank you very much!

Source: VOV