Russia holds important position in Vietnam’s foreign policy, says top legislator

Hosting Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin in Hanoi on October 15, Hue affirmed that Vietnam wishes to consolidate and strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership with the Russian Federation in all fields and through all channels.

He thanked the former Soviet Union, now the Russian Federation, for their valuable assistance and wholehearted support to Vietnam in the past struggle for national independence and national reunification as well as in the present cause of national construction and defense.

Volodin for his part said all five political parties in the Russian State Duma voice their support for stronger development of the Vietnam – Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. He suggested that the two sides seek new forms of cooperation to further develop bilateral relations, especially in economy, trade, and investment.

Both host and guest held that Vietnam – Russia relations have recently seen many positive changes through high-level delegation exchanges. They suggested that the two sides continue to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels to further forge practical and effective relations and cooperation.

Hue affirmed that Vietnam supports Russia in promoting its active role in the Asia-Pacific region, and it stays ready to act as a bridge to promote cooperation between Russia and ASEAN and other ASEAN countries.

The two sides agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral forums, including ASEAN and the United Nations. Hue proposed that Russia support the stance of ASEAN and Vietnam in resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as through Russia - ASEAN relations as a positive factor in promoting the parties to soon build and implement the Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

On economic, trade and investment cooperation, the two parliamentary leaders were of the view that the two sides have worked closely together to realize the minutes of the 24th session of the Vietnam – Russia inter-governmental committee on economic, trade, scientific and technical cooperation, while enhancing exchanges between their ministries, agencies and localities to soon formulate plans of actions for specific stages.

Hue proposed that Russia consider simplifying import procedures for Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products, and amending the already signed Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), aiming to increase bilateral trade turnover to US$10 billion by 2030.

The two sides noted that oil, gas and energy cooperation remains an important pillar of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. They also highly appreciated the results of the third meeting of the Vietnam - Russia committee on education, science and technology cooperation held in November 2022.

Hue thanked the Russian Federation for continuing to give Vietnam 1,000 scholarships each year. He also expected that the two sides would continue to maintain and promote joint cooperation projects in the field of science and technology.

The Vietnamese legislator proposed that Russia soon resume negotiations on recruitment of Vietnamese guestworkers, enhance tourism cooperation, reopen direct flights between Hanoi and Moscow; and promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between localities.

State Duma leader Volodin welcomed Hue’s proposals, and said he would consider and put them on the agenda to make a substantive contribution to strengthening relations between the two countries and their peoples.

He suggested that the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the State Duma of the Russian Federation thoroughly examine these proposals, thereby contributing to expanding cooperation programmes between the two parliaments and the two countries as well as strengthening supervision of the implementation of cooperation agreements between the two Governments.

Regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Hue expressed his wish for the parties to seek diplomatic and peaceful solutions on the basis of the United Nations Charter and international law. He affirmed that Vietnam is ready to contribute an active role in the reconciliation process.

During their talks, both host and guest agreed that parliamentary cooperation is one of the important pillars in the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

Hue proposed that the two sides effectively implement the operational orientations set by the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, and increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, to share experiences and enhance consultation and support at multilateral forums.

Volodin echoed Hue’s proposals, and affirmed that he would do his best to promote the relationship between the two sides.

On this occasion, Volodin respectfully invited Hue to visit Russia and co-chair the third meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. The invitation was accepted with pleasure.

Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin arrived in Hanoi on October 15, beginning a two-day official working visit to Vietnam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.