Russian President visits Vietnam: A visit of great significance

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Russian President Vladimir Putin during talks in Sochi in November 2014 (Photo: Sputnik).

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Vietnam this week. Commenting on this event, Mr. Nguyen Dang Phat, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association, said that this is a visit of great significance. Firstly , Vietnam is the only Southeast Asian country to have welcomed Russian presidents six times, including the upcoming visit of President Putin. Previously, President Putin has visited Vietnam four times, including two official visits (in 2001 and 2013) and two APEC summits in Hanoi and Da Nang (in 2006 and 2017). In 2010, then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also made an official visit to Vietnam. This shows that Russian leaders highly appreciate the relationship with Vietnam. Secondly , this visit to Vietnam takes place at the beginning of President Putin's new term. This demonstrates the importance of the Russian Federation as well as President Putin personally towards Vietnam. On March 31, 2023, President Putin signed a Decree approving the new foreign policy orientation of the Russian Federation. Currently, Russia's foreign policy is still implemented according to this document of strategic significance and Vietnam is still one of the priorities in Russia's foreign policy in the Asia- Pacific region. Third , President Putin's visit took place on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the basic principles of Vietnam-Russia friendly relations, a fundamental document for developing relations between the two countries in new historical conditions after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In that context, the visit of the highest leader of the Russian state to Vietnam is expected to set a new milestone, creating new momentum for bilateral relations. On the basis of the visit, the two countries will have agreements and take the next steps in the new period.

Special relationship

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong plants a Friendship tree at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument in Moscow on September 6, 2018 (Photo: Nguyen Dang Phat).

Reviewing the Vietnam - Russia relationship, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association Nguyen Dang Phat said that this is a close and profound relationship that has gone through many ups and downs of history. Mr. Phat quoted General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's speech on September 8, 2018 in Moscow at the solemn ceremony celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Russia - Vietnam Friendship Association: "On the journey of nearly 70 years of establishing diplomatic relations, our two countries have experienced many difficulties and challenges, but the solidarity and friendship between our two peoples have always been strong, warm and trustworthy. Today's Vietnam - Russia relations have inherited the good Vietnam - Soviet relationship that originated many years ago. It is a priceless common asset of the two peoples, we have the obligation to preserve and pass it on to future generations. It is also a solid foundation to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation today. With the tradition of "remembering the source of water when drinking", the Vietnamese people will never forget the great and effective material and spiritual help that the people of the former Soviet Union, including the Russian Federation, have given to the Vietnamese people in the cause of fighting for national independence. and the cause of building and defending the Fatherland today". Inheriting the special friendship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union in the past, the leaders and people of Vietnam and the Russian Federation have made great efforts to bring the Vietnam - Russia relationship to strong progress, continuing the fine tradition between the two nations. 74 years ago, the Soviet Union was one of the first countries in the world to recognize and officially establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The Soviet Union helped Vietnam a lot in the resistance wars against foreign invaders and provided great aid to Vietnam. In particular, the Soviet Union accepted many Vietnamese people to study and research. According to estimates, the former Soviet Union and the current Russian Federation have trained about 70,000 university and postgraduate experts in many different fields, including military , civil... They all became leading experts, playing important roles in all fields in Vietnam. Along with that, nearly 100,000 skilled Vietnamese workers have also been trained by Russia. The Vietnamese people always remember, appreciate and are grateful for Russia's help during difficult times. This sentiment is still preserved to this day and passed on to the next generations.

Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association Nguyen Dang Phat (Photo: Thanh Dat).

According to the Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association, the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Russia can develop well as it is today thanks to the deep trust between the two sides, leaders and people of all walks of life and the recognition of great benefits in sustainable and long-term cooperation. Regarding defense and security cooperation , this is considered a pillar of Vietnam - Russia relations. In 2021, the leaders of the two countries issued a Joint Statement on the Vision of the Vietnam - Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to 2030, emphasizing that "cooperation in the military and military-technical fields, security has a special position in Vietnam - Russia relations, constantly being strengthened for the benefit of Vietnam and Russia and the people of the two countries, contributing to ensuring peace and stability in the region and the world ". Regarding economic, trade and investment cooperation , the two countries still maintain development momentum and the two countries' markets still need each other's goods. Oil and gas cooperation is one of the bright spots in Vietnam-Russia relations, including the Vietsovpetro joint venture and a number of other Russian projects in Vietnam. Vietnam also has investment projects in Russia such as joint ventures in oil and gas exploitation, dairy farming, etc. Meanwhile, Russian enterprises are also interested in and investing in energy and industrial projects in Vietnam. Regarding education and training , the two countries still cooperate closely. Each year, Russia grants Vietnam about 1,000 scholarships from the federal state budget. Regarding technology , Vietnam and Russia still advocate continuing cooperation and looking for ways to promote stronger cooperation. High-tech corporations of the two countries are still looking for ways to continue cooperation.

Abundant room for cooperation

Inauguration ceremony of the Ho Chi Minh Monument in Saint Petersburg on June 30, 2023 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Uncle Ho's first visit to Russia (Photo: Nguyen Dang Phat).

Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association Nguyen Dang Phat said that the room for cooperation between the two countries in the coming time is still very large. The two countries need to promote the exploitation of potential and seek new areas of cooperation, such as high technology. Investment opportunities in Russia are huge, Russia always welcomes Vietnamese investors. Vietnamese enterprises need to take advantage of opportunities in a large market like Russia and export Vietnam's strengths such as electronics, textiles, footwear, agriculture, aquaculture, seafood, etc. In addition, the two countries also have the ability to promote tourism development, consider reopening direct flights to exploit the potential of the "smokeless industry". Regarding people-to-people exchange between the two countries, the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association coordinates with the Russia - Vietnam Friendship Association and other partners in Russia to implement creative, diverse and practical activities that attract the attention of people, especially the young generation. The Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association has coordinated with the Russia - Vietnam Friendship Association to organize a practical scientific workshop on the role of people-to-people diplomacy in the development of Vietnam - Russia relations; organize an annual international children's painting contest "I draw Vietnam - I draw Russia" to create a playground for students of the two countries to exchange and learn about each other's countries and people. The two Associations also coordinate with partners to implement language teaching programs and popularize Russian and Vietnamese culture in each country. As a long-time journalist working in the field of foreign communications, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association Nguyen Dang Phat said that President Putin's fifth visit to Vietnam after nearly 7 years not only received special attention in Vietnam and Russia but also received great attention from regional and international public opinion. Accordingly, the visit certainly opens up many bright prospects to further deepen the Vietnam - Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. In the coming time, ministries, sectors, localities, partners, enterprises, friendship associations, and people's organizations of the two countries will promote the results of the visit and implement many new measures to enhance bilateral relations. The Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association affirmed that comprehensive, extensive, traditional-based, future-oriented cooperation between Vietnam and the Russian Federation contributes to strengthening peace and stability in the region as well as in the world.

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Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/tong-thong-nga-tham-viet-nam-chuyen-tham-mang-y-nghia-quan-trong-20240616221534115.htm