Hanoi (VNA) – The recent official visit to Russia by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his attendance at the 20th ASEAN-Russia commemorative summit have𝐆 significantly contributed to the enhancement of the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

This also illustrates the active spirit and responsibility of Vietnam for promoting the cooperative ties between ASEAN and Russia, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said in an interview. He noted that the visit to a foreign country, the first of its kind for PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc since taking up his new post, demonstrates the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy of prioritising the reinforcement of the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership for mutual benefit as well as regional and global peace, cooperation and development. All of the top Russian leaders affirmed Vietnam as one of the diplomatic priorities for Russia in the Asian-Pacific region and hoped to push across-the-board cooperation with the Southeast Asian country ahead, he said. Regarding political and diplomatic aspects, the two sides agreed to maintain high-level delegation exchanges, continue close and effective coordination at international forums, and improve the efficiency of bilateral current cooperation mechanisms, particularly the governmental joint committee on economic-trade and science-technology cooperation and the strategic dialogue on external affairs, defence and security. Both countries evaluated the economic and trade ties as having been at a modest level, thus striving to effectively implement the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, and quickly raising two-way trade are priorities, the diplomat said, adding that Russia confirmed it will pave the way for Vietnam to increase exports to the market, especially farm produce and seafood. During the PM’s visit, the two nations sealed a number of cooperation documents in the fields of oil and gas, investment and agriculture, including the Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Russia Ministry of Economic Development on boosting bilateral trade through to 2020. Vietnamese and Russian leaders also agreed to enhance collaboration in education-training, humanities activities, military techniques, security and tourism while shaking hands within the ASEAN-Russia framework. As regards the 20th ASEAN-Russia commemorative summit, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivered a key speech at the event, highlighting the prioritising fields and specific cooperation initiatives in ASEAN-Russia partnership. The PM urged the two sides to boost cooperation in economics, trade, investment, energy, and tourism while expanding affiliation into education-training, science-technology and people-to-people exchanges. He also proposed that ASEAN and Russia step up collaboration in climate change adaptation and natural disaster prevention via implementing the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development through 2030 and the global agreement reached at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21). During his meetings with Russian leaders, the PM recommended the country support ASEAN in implementing its Vision through to 2025 and suggested the two sides forge economic links, share information on public-private partnership, renovation and technological transfer, and promote their connectivity. While meeting with leaders from ASEAN, the PM exchanged specific measures to enhance cooperation between Vietnam and other bloc’s member nations. At the summit, ASEAN and Russian leaders adopted the Sochi Declaration, which reiterates principles and orientations for the bilateral relations across politics-security, economics-trade, and culture-society while supporting ASEAN efforts to increase connectivity and integration, narrow the development gaps between member states, and maintaining a peaceful, stable and prosperous environment in the region.-VNA