Vietnam considers Russia a top priority in its foreign policy
The nation always regards Russia as a top priority in its external policy and supports Russia with its greater role and voice in the region and in the world.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the statement during a meeting with Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly on December 1 as part of his activities during the trip to Russia.
Vietnam always pay attention to and is elated to see Russia record tremendous achievements in recent times, Phuc told his host.
For her part, Matvienko highly appreciated the outcomes of talks between President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President V. Putin and other Russian leaders, and congratulated Vietnam on great achievements in socio-economic development.
She highlighted the significance of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's visit, which she said, has added fresh impetus to reinforcing the two countries' relations amid the 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership (2001 - 2021) in the build up to the 10th anniversary of comprehensive strategic partnership (2012-2022).
The two leaders applauded the positive development of Vietnam-Russia relations over the past time despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, covering the fields of politics, economy, trade and investment, defence and security, energy and oil and gas, education and science.
They expressed his delight at the results of cooperation between the two countries in COVID-19 prevention and control, with the important role of the relationship between their legislative bodies.
The Vietnamese State leader also hailed the close coordination between both nations' legislatures at international and regional forums, while affirming that Vietnam continues to support and actively participate in international initiatives set out by the Federation Council for the common interests of the two countries, contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world as a whole.
Matvienko affirmed that the Federation Council always supports strengthening relations with Vietnam and continues to work closely with the National Assembly of Vietnam in implementing cooperation agreements and projects between the two countries.
As the local representative agency of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council will continue to act as a bridge to strengthen cooperation between the two nations' localities.
Both leaders agreed to continue to further push up the comprehensive strategic partnership in a more practical and effective manner, including the cooperation between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia.
On this occasion, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc conveyed the invitation to visit Vietnam from National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and greetings from former NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to Federal Council Chairwoman Matvienko.
The same day, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc also had a meeting with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, during which Phuc affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam always keep in mind Russia’s assistance for Vietnam in the past and at present, and place importance on the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.
Vietnam considers Russia a leading priority partner in its external policy, he said, while expressing his elation at the achievements Russia has recorded in recent times.
Both sides focused their discussion on cooperation between the two countries in areas, especially economics, while expressing their pleasure with the continued expansion in bilateral trade and investment cooperation despite impacts of COVID-19.
They glowingly spoke of the outcomes of the 23rd meeting of the Vietnam-Russia Inter-governmental Committee on Economic-Trade and Scientific-Technological Cooperation that took place in October.
The two sides consented to facilitate bilateral trade, including making the most of preferences of the Vietnam and the Asia-Europe Economic Union free trade agreement, and encouraging the implementation of large investment projects in areas that both sides are strong in such as industry, agriculture and infrastructure.
They affirmed determination to maintain and expand cooperation in energy and oil and gas in Vietnam and Russia – one of the key pillars in the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.
Host and guest reached a consensus on orientations and measures to boost collaboration in the fields of education-training, science-technology, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange.
They agreed to bolster cooperation in COVID-19 vaccine and drug production.
PM Mishustin affirmed the Russian Government treasures and desires to augment cooperation with Vietnam and will boost closer coordination with the Vietnamese Government, particularly within the framework of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Economic-Trade and Scientific-Technological Cooperation, to carry out effectively agreements reached between Presidents Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vladimir Putin.
President Phuc wished that the Russian Government continues to offer favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and work in Russia.
On the occasion, the President conveyed the invitation to visit Vietnam from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to PM Mishustin.
