Russia and Vietnam Build Up Cooperation
Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Russia Dang Minh Khoi met in Moscow to discuss the development of strategic partnership between the two countries. Other topics included the participation of Vietnam delegation in international economic events in Russia, including the 25th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and Eastern Economic Forum.
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. Vietnam is one of our key partners in Asia Pacific. The Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and Eurasian Economic Union signed in 2015 played an important role in developing trade between our countries. I am confident that economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Russia has a great potential,” emphasized Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov.
In order to further unlock the potential of bilateral cooperation between Russia and Vietnam, meeting participants stressed the importance of regular meetings between the official and business communities of both countries, not only during working visits and meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission, but also on the margins of international events that contribute to maintaining and developing the bilateral dialogue.
“Participation in key business events, such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, opens up great opportunities for resolving foreign trade tasks and developing international cooperation and partnership. Bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and Russia increased by more than 20% in 2021. Cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as energy, oil and gas, industry and agriculture continues to be efficient. Vietnam views comprehensive strategic partnership between our countries as important,” noted Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Dang Minh Khoi.
The Vietnamese government believes that political contacts between our countries should be actively pursued at various levels.
Vietnam actively supports trade development within the Eurasian Economic Union – it was the first country to sign a free trade zone agreement with the EAEU. Meeting participants addressed strengthening Russia–Vietnam cooperation within the EAEU and ASEAN.
Among upcoming activities, the two parties consider holding a business dialogue between Vietnam and Russia at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2022 and a cultural event to mark the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. Separately, the two parties discussed organizing exhibition stands to present Vietnam’s tourism and cultural potential at SPIEF 2022 and EEF 2022.
Despite the pandemic, Vietnam is open to tourists from Russia and recognizes the Sputnik V vaccine. Entry to the country is allowed to fully vaccinated people and people who had COVID-19 as part of package tours. Dang Minh Khoi noted that Vietnam is preparing to lift most restrictions (including mandatory quarantine) on tourists starting from 15 March 2022.
During the meeting, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov also invited the Vietnamese delegation to actively participate in the ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum (11–13 April 2022, St. Petersburg) and the 25th World Energy Congress (24–27 October 2022, St. Petersburg).
