Moscow (VNA) – Russian experts and scholars haveexpressed their appreciation of General Secretary of the Communist Party ofVietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong visit to Russia from September5-9.

Director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies SergeyLuzyanin said the visit will further deepen the bilateral comprehensivestrategic partnership in economic, political, and humanitarian aspects.

He said Vietnam-Russia ties play an important role in thecontext of Russia strengthening its “Look East” policy, the US-China trade warand changes in Russia-China relations.

Russia has always affirmed that Vietnam is a bridge to theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with which Russia plans toestablish durable ties, he said, adding that Vietnam has also become a memberof the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)after the US withdrew from the TPP and other regional projects.

Amid the US and other western countries’ sanctions onRussia, exploration and domination of Asian markets, including Vietnam, is animportant orientation for Russia, Luzyanin said.

Head of the Saint Petersburg State University’s Faculty ofthe History of the Far East Vladimir Kolotov said thanks to its renovationpolicy since 1986, Vietnam has reaped huge successes and become a “new tiger ofAsia”. The country has not only curbed inflation but also strongly integratedinto the region.

Head of the Research Centre for Vietnam and ASEAN Vladimir Mazyrinhighlighted the characteristics of the political system in Vietnam led by theCPV. He also emphasised the CPV leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s personal prestige inthe fight against corruption, which has been welcomed by many countriesglobally.

He suggested reaching for more strategic projects to fulfilthe goal of lifting two-way trade to 10 billion USD by 2020, adding that inorder to match the strategic partnership level, Russia needs to access more of Vietnam’skey projects, including those in nuclear power and metro systems.

President of the Council of Experts at the Eurasian IdeasFoundation Grigory Trophimchuk said that, in recent years, Vietnam’s role hasimproved in economic and political spheres, not only in Southeast Asia, butalso in Asia-Pacific and the world.

Vietnam successfully held the Asia-Pacific EconomicCooperation (APEC) last year, and is currently preparing for the World EconomicForum on ASEAN, proving that Vietnam’s position and influence has increased oninternational arena.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Ngo Duc Manh, for his part, saidthe visit by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will create a new driving forceto further deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

He expressed his belief that the two countries will scorenew achievements in the near future, contributing to their own development andfor the peace, well-being, stability, and cooperation in the region and theworld.–VNA