New milestone in Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership

Strategic comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Russia has seen positive development in all areas in a deeper and more practical manner. Vietnam and Russia (the former Soviet Union) have had a fine traditional friendship and co-operation since Vietnamese people carried out the resistance war against foreign invaders for national independence and reunification. Vietnam people will never forget the enthusiastic support and valuable assistance of the former Soviet people, including the people of the Russian Federation, dedicated to the revolution and construction of their country.

The bilateral political relations are of high reliability with the regular exchanges of high-level visits, including the most recent visit to Russia by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong 2014, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung in 2013.

Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted a state visit to Vietnam in 2013, and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had an official visit in 2012. On the basis of mutual trust, the two countries have shared views on many regional and international issues, closely coordinated and supported each other in international forums, especially in the ASEAN - Russia cooperation framework.

Multi-faceted bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, science, technology, education, training, culture and tourism have all seen positive developments.

Economic cooperation has strongly developed over the past years but still remains far behind potential. Vietnam and Russia recognized each other's market economy in 2007.

Two-way trade reached US$2.7 billion (US$3.97 billion according to Russia's data) in 2013 and US$2.55 billion (US$3.74 billion according to Russia's data) in the following year. Obstacles to trade cooperation are being removed gradually.

Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union that groups Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan signed a joint statement on concluding the negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement. The agreement is expected to be officially signed in the first half of 2015.

Russia currently ranks 17th among 101 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 106 projects worth nearly US$2 billion, focusing on mining, processing, and manufacturing industries. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian country is now running 19 projects valued at US$2.47 billion in Russia, mainly in oil, gas and trade.

Russia has helped trained tens of thousands of Vietnamese officials and experts in various fields, and currently there are 5000 Vietnamese students studying in Russia.

The official visit by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to Vietnam is another confirmation of the two countries' leaders and people to enhance the Vietnam-Russia traditional friendship, relationship and comprehensive strategic partnership, and to foster cooperation in various areas, including trade, economic and investment.

(Source: Nhandan Online)