The handover was witnessed by Deputy Defense Minister and Head of the Vietnamese Subcommittee and President of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee for the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, Head of the Russian Subcommittee of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee for the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center, Mogilevskiy Konstantin Ilich.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the handover ceremony. |
The Professor Gagarinsky research vessel, designed for oceanographic research, with capabilities to operate in deep-sea and offshore environments, is expected to open up a new chapter in marine research, allowing scientists from both countries to explore previously uncharted waters, enhance understanding of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and resources, thus proposing appropriate conservation, restoration, and sustainable utilization strategies.
In addition to that, the vessel will support the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center in modernizing and significantly boosting its research capacity and operational efficiency, thus helping the center be autonomous in designing research programs and conducting field surveys at sea. With Professor Gagarinsky research vessel, Vietnam's offshore marine research capabilities will be considerably enhanced.
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Delegates at the handover ceremony |
Speaking at the event, Gen. Chien emphasized the significance of this handover, which took place shortly after the official visit to Russia by Party General Secretary To Lam. He said that this event was a practical step to realize the shared vision of both nations’ leaders in strengthening bilateral cooperation in general and affirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting and effectively promoting the potential of the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center.
The Vietnamese deputy defense minister took the occasion to thank the Russian Government and the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education for the vessel. He highlighted the vessel as a new symbol of Vietnam - Russia cooperation and a shared maritime platform for scientific collaboration, contributing to strengthening the fine traditional relationship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. This gift not only symbolizes the deep friendship between the two countries, but also serves as motivation for scientists to contribute further to the mutual benefit of both nations.
The Tropical Center pledged to maintain close coordination with the Navy to ensure the vessel remain in top technical condition and work with the Russian side to develop inter-sectorial research programs to study Vietnam's maritime regions and make optimal use of the vessel, honoring the trust and expectations of both sides.
Earlier the same day, Deputy Defense Minister Hoang Xuan Chien led the Vietnamese delegation to lay flowers at the Monument dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh in Vladivostok. The delegation was joined by overseas Vietnamese in Russia.
By Kieu Trinh (from Vladivostok, Russia)
Translated by Tran Hoai