Top Russian leader’s Vietnam visit highlighted as driving force behind bilateral ties
VOV.VN - The visit to Vietnam by Russian President Vladimir Putin will give extra impetus to developing joint ties across multiple fields, with a focus on enhancing interaction in traditional fields such as economics and investment, science and technology, education and training, culture and tourism, humanitarian exchanges, and defence and security.
Talking to the media on June 19 ahead of President Putin’s visit, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam G.S. Bezdetko said that the Russian President will lead a delegation of leaders of the Russian Federation, regions, and major businesses during the trip from June 19 to June 20. He is scheduled to hold talks and meetings alongside Vietnamese leaders and alumni of the former Soviet Union and Russian universities. The two sides are expected to issue a joint statement and sign co-operation agreements in higher education, justice, customs, healthcare, energy, and science.
The visit takes places amid both nations celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations (June 16, 1994 - 2024).
This historic treaty has helped to remarkably expand bilateral interactions and laid the foundations for developing and carrying out major joint projects and initiatives in multiple areas. It also heralded a new period of all-around co-operation between the two countries and provided a prerequisite for strengthening ties whilst elevating mutual relations to that of a comprehensive strategic partnership, according to the Ambassador.
The two nations will soon celebrate other milestones, including the 30th anniversary of the Hoa Binh hydroelectric power plant, the largest hydropower complex in the nation which was constructed with assistance from the Soviet Union and completed with help from Russia, in December; the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in January, 2025; and the 10th anniversary of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Russia is a member, in May, 2025.
Building on the strong foundations build during previous high-level exchanges, he affirmed that President Putin's visit aims to boost co-operation in multiple fields, including the economy, investment, science - technology, education - training, culture, tourism, humanitarian exchanges, and national defence - security.
Ambassador Bezdetko affirmed Russia’s willingness to work alongside the country on the international stage, especially at the UN and within the frameworks centering on ASEAN to deal with urgent issues of the era and to uphold the fundamental principles of sovereignty equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of independent nations, and the legitimacy and justice in international relations, he said.
The diplomat touched upon Russian support for multi-platform co-operation among associations like the EAEU, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and ASEAN, with a view towards enhancing economic connectivity whilst fostering an expanded Asia-Europe Partnership. He also highlighted BRICS as a promising platform for interaction with the nation.
Acknowledging the huge potential that exists for bilateral collaboration, he emphasised Russia's wish to build closer and effective co-operation in the fields of energy, industrial production, science - technology, education - training, national defence - security, trade, and investment, as well as for consistent implementation of the agreements at high and highest levels.
According to the Ambassador, key tasks include ensuring peace and security in the broadest sense; combating terrorism, transnational crimes, and drug trafficking; and fighting existing and emerging challenges and threats.
Russia remains ready to provide the Vietnamese side with the most cutting-edge, trustworthy, and stable technologies in the field of clean energy, firstly nuclear power, Ambassador Bezdetko remarked.
In relation to education, Russia has established a union of technical universities to expand the training of experts in high technology, information technology, energy, and aircraft production. It has also offered the largest quota of free education to the nation, delivering 1,000 scholarships.
Cultural and educational events have been launched regularly to celebrate the shared history and values of both countries, the Ambassador said, adding that people-to-people diplomacy remains one of the most important tools for the two countries' interactions.
In conclusion, Ambassador Bezdetko stated that both sides share a rich history and all-around co-operation in a variety of fields, demonstrated by political dialogue, humanitarian exchanges, and similar development orientations, laying a solid foundation for their comprehensive strategic partnership.
