Director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies Sergey Luzianin (L) and Director of the Vietnam-ASEAN Research Centre Vladimir Mazyrin (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Experts on Vietnamese studies gathered at a roundtablethemed “Vietnam-Russia relations: Potential and Development” held in Russia bythe country’s Vietnam-ASEAN Research Centre on August 30, in anticipation of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen PhuTrong’s official visit in early September.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the roundtable,Director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies Sergey Luzianin showed hisbelief that the Vietnamese Party leader’s upcoming visit will help deepen thetwo countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, especially in the aspectsof economics, politics and humanitarian.
According to him, the bilateral political ties are at a highlevel of the strategic partnership. Vietnam is also the first country signing afree trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which is expectedto help expand its relations with Russia in particular and five EAEU memberstates in general.
Cultural bonds have also been strengthened. Next year, forthe first time, the Russia Year in Vietnam and the Vietnam Year in Russia willbe held, creating opportunities to enhance the bilateral ties, he added.
As one of the leading Russian experts on Vietnamese studies,Director of the Vietnam-ASEAN Research Centre Vladimir Mazyrin provided theRussian press with an insight into Vietnam’s political system under theleadership of the Communist Party. He highlighted the personal prestige ofParty General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and his leading role in the fightagainst corruption.
In the economic field, despite the appearance of newprojects, it remains a difficult task for the two countries to raise two-waytrade to 10 billion USD by 2020, he stated, stressing the need for strategicprojects.
Considering the strategic partnership between the twocountries, Russia should gain access to Vietnam’s strategic fields such asnuclear power and large-scale projects like subway transport, he added.
An overview of the roundtable (Source: VNA) Discussions at the roundtable shed light into how the DoiMoi policy fuelled socio-economic development in Vietnam, turning the countryinto a “tiger of Asia”. Participants also agreed that an external policy on theprinciple of independence, self-reliance, peace, multilateral cooperation andproactive integration has improved the country’s image and created a favourableenvironment for its development.
Vietnam’s upcoming hosting of the World Economic Forum onASEAN was also mentioned at the discussions.
Grigory Trofimchuk, Chairman of the Expert Council ofResearch Support Foundation “Workshop of Eurasian Ideas”, said that the role ofVietnam has increased in not only Southeast Asia but also the Asia-Pacificregion and the whole world, as seen in the fact that the country has hostedmany forums significant to economic development in these regions.
He added that therefore, the Russia-Vietnam-ASEAN relationswill focus on not only ensuring regional security but also seeking measures toincrease economic and financial benefits for all parties involved.-VNA
VNA
