Moscow (VNA) – Developing the Vietnam-Russia relations in the new age was the focus of discussion at a workshop held in Moscow on May 13.
The event was organised by the Institute of Oriental Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences on the threshold of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to Russia.
Participants highly valued the visit, the first foreign trip by Phuc as the Prime Minister of Vietnam, saying that cooperation with Vietnam and ASEAN in general is a priority in Russia’s “Turn to the East” policy.
Vietnam also helps Russia diversify its trade relations in the Southeast Asian region, avoiding much dependence on China’s economy, they said.
The Vietnam- Russia traditional friendship reflects the mutual trust and understanding between the two nations in the fields of politics, economy and culture, said Dmitry Mosyakov from the institute.
He noted that during the visit, the two nations’ leaders will focus their discussions on economic cooperation, especially nuclear power, oil refinery, agriculture and military engineering projects.
Numerous reports highlighting the perspective of the bilateral relations were heard during the event, particularly in energy, culture and education.
Vietnam and Russia inked a joint statement on lifting their ties to the strategic partnership on March 1, 2001. And on July 27, 2012, they issued another joint statement on enhancing their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Political relations between the nations have been continually consolidated on the basis of mutual trust as evidenced by regular all-level delegations exchanged.
The two nations have shared viewpoints on a number of regional and international issues, closely coordinated and supported each other at international forums..
Bilateral economic cooperation has strongly developed over the past years but still remains far behind potential. Vietnam and Russia recognised each other’s market economy in 2007.
Russia currently ranks 17th among 101 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 106 projects worth nearly 2 billion USD, focusing on the mining, processing, and manufacturing industries.
Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian country is now running 19 projects valued at 2.47 billion USD in Russia, mainly in oil and gas and trade.-VNA