A proud length of timeAfter nearly one decade realizing the Strategic Partnership and nearly three years pursuing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Viet Nam-Russia relations have made great progress, contributing to each nation’s development. The two nations established a mechanism of annual high-ranking exchanges and closely cooperated at international forums, especially the United Nations. The cooperation between Parties, National Assemblies and social organizations has been up to create a firm foundation for bilateral relations.
Vietnamese and Russian leaders have exchanged greetings in observance of the 65th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations (1950-2015). The leaders expected that the assistance provided by Russia will help develop nuclear power sustainably in Viet Nam and become a symbol for the bilateral cooperation, contributing to ensuring power security for the nation during the course of industrialization and modernization. They also highlighted the importance of the cooperation in national defense and security and military technology. He suggested the two sides closely work in this field to make realistic contributions to maintaining the peaceful and stable environment, serving each nation’s economic growth and promoting the Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Vladimir Putin in Sochi City in the visiting to the Russian Federation on November 25, 2014. Photo: REUTERS
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The two-way trade turnover increased from US$500 million in 2001 to nearly US$3 billion in 2014. The two nations concluded negotiations of a Free Trade Agreement between Viet Nam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in December 2014. Currently, nearly 10,000 Vietnamese are working in Russia. Meanwhile, thousands of Vietnamese students have been trained in Russia. The leaders hoped that in the future, the two nations should strengthen political relations though annual high-ranking delegation exchanges and continue to support each other at international forums. In term of economics, Viet Nam and Russia need to launch effectively projects in crucial areas, including signing the FTA in 2015, enhancing cooperation in the oil and gas industry, and building Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant in Viet Nam. The cooperation in humanism will be concentrated and expanded to create a basis for the two nations’ relations to develop in a more sustainable fashion. Achievements and cooperation between the two countries have upgraded their relationship to a higher level for mutual development and prosperity.
Invaluable asset
In his message to President Truong Tan Sang, President V. Putin wrote that in 1950, the Soviet Union was one of the first countries to extend help to an independent Vietnam, and since then the two countries have established firm relations of friendship and alliance. “I am pleased to note that the Russia-Vietnam relations are developing strongly in all fields on the basis of glorious traditions in the past,” he wrote. “The Vietnamese people will forever bear in their mind and be grateful for the great political, economic and military support and help that your country has given us during the hardest moments in our struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as in our current national construction and development,” the message read.
President Putin, Prime Minister D. Medvedev and leaders of the Russian Federal Assembly all stressed the willingness to cooperate actively with Vietnamese partners in implementing major bilateral projects in the fields of economy-trade, investment, industry, energy, military technology and the humanities. They said the signing of a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam will offer prospects for further promoting cooperative ties. Leaders underscored that the Vietnam-Russia relationship is typical for its friendship, comradeship and mutual sharing and support and the strong development of cooperation in a multitude of fields has met both countries’ needs in their development and international integration process.
Looking back over 65 years, it is possible to affirm that Vietnam - Russia relations is built on the foundation and development of close friendship between the two peoples and proven through the changes of history. Continuing to strengthen and constantly evolving the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Vietnam - Russia tradition of mutual support is the needs and aspirations of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and worldwide.
