Russian media appraises Vietnam’s role in ASEAN

The “Doi moi” (Reform) policy implemented over three decades ago is a breakthrough in the country’s economy, which helps turn Vietnam, from an impoverished nation, into an important economy in the region, the article wrote.

ASEAN is currently the third largest exporter and second largest importer of Vietnam. Vietnam has enjoyed robust business and investment performance in neighbouring countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

If Russia sees China as its key strategic partner in Northeast Asia, it gives the position in Southeast Asia to Vietnam, the article stressed.

Vietnam and Russia upgraded their ties to the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012, and three years later, Vietnam was the first country to sign an agreement on a free trade area with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan).

The time-honoured bilateral traditional friendship has been consolidated as Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Vietnam four times and his latest trip was to attend the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang on November 10-11.

According to the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM), Vietnam is more popular among Russian people than other ASEAN member countries. Director of the centre Valery Fedorov said the fact was based on various elements like tourism, commodities, culture, people-to-people relations and political role in the world.

Meanwhile, survey from the Pew Research Centre showed that 83 percent of Vietnamese people love Russia.

In the context of rising sanctions imposed by the US and European countries, Russia has promoted its East Asia policy and Vietnam will be a bridge to enhance economic cooperation between Russia and Southeast Asian nations.

The article also underlined that Vietnamese leaders have expressed their willingness to bolster ties between Russia and ASEAN due to the country’s increasing role in the bloc.