President Putin’s state visit to strengthen Vietnam - Russia ties

During his 5th visit to Vietnam on June 19 and 20, President Vladimir Putin and a high-ranking delegation of Russia are scheduled to have talks and meetings with senior leaders of Vietnam and some other activities, thereby continuing to enhance and develop the two countries' relations.

The state visit, made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, takes place at a time when the two nations are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations between Vietnam and Russia this year and on the threshold of the 75th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025.

The two countries established a strategic partnership in 2001 and lifted it to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012.

Over the past years, the bilateral relations have been developing well, quickly, and comprehensively. The mutual understanding and political trust have been enhanced through high-level visits and exchanges.

The CPV's cooperation with major political parties of Russia, including United Russia, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and A Just Russia - For Truth, has also been growing strongly. Cooperation between the two governments and parliaments has also been promoted.

Vietnam was the first country to sign a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Russia is a member. It is the largest trading partner of Russia in Southeast Asia while Russia is one of Vietnam's top five trading partners in Europe. The two sides are also implementing investment projects in each other's markets, including in the areas where Russia has strengths such as energy, science -technology, and education - training.

They have also carried out various forms of cooperation in defence and security.

Collaboration in the fields of education - training and science - technology continues to be maintained. There are about 5,000 Vietnamese students in Russia at present. Cultural, sport and tourism ties have also been actively promoted with annual culture days held rotationally.

Regarding locality-to-locality connections, 20 pairs of Vietnamese and Russian localities have formed twinned relationships. The 60,000-strong Vietnamese community in Russia are contributing much to the traditional friendship.

Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and Chairman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, said that overall, the two countries' relationship has been developing comprehensively and strongly, bringing practical benefits to their people for the sake of peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world.

During the visit, senior leaders of Vietnam, President Putin, and the high-ranking delegation of Russia will discuss the situation in each country and international issues of mutual concern such as the maintenance of peace, cooperation and development; the settlement of disputes; and the implementation of important frameworks such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). They will also devise orientations to promote all-round partnerships in the coming time.

The visit reflects Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, and diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, Trung added.

He went on to say that the visit also helps affirm Vietnam's position and prestige, along with the consistent foreign policy issued at the 13th National Party Congress. It also aims to promote the pioneering role of diplomacy in creating and maintaining peace and mobilising resources for national development.

The trip, which takes place shortly after President Putin begins his new term, demonstrates Russia and the leader's high evaluation of Vietnam's potential, position and prestige after 40 years of Doi moi (Renewal). It also shows the visiting leader's respect for the CPV's leadership and General Secretary Trong, who has significantly contributed to the bilateral ties.

With the two countries' traditional friendship, their people's strong support and the achievements obtained so far, President Putin's visit is an important occasion for elevating the bilateral relations, capitalise on both sides' potential and advantages, and set forth new cooperation orientations to realise their common goals, benefit the two nations' people, and actively contribute to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world at large./.