Vietnam: Russia’s top priority in Asia
(VOV) - 2012 has been an eventful year for the Vietnamese-Russian relationship, witnessing the implementation of major agreements signed during recent years.
The strong development of the political dialogue between Vietnam and Russia has reaffirmed the mutual determination to promote bilateral ties.
A VOV reporter interviewed Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrey G.Kovtun on the recent developments in the Vietnamese-Russian comprehensive strategic partnership and plans for 2013.
Reporter: What is your assessment of the overall relationship between Vietnam and Russia in 2012?
Ambassador Kovtun: 2012 can be considered an active year for both nations in terms of political dialogue and economic and trade exchanges.
In terms of politics, I would like to emphasise three important events. Firstly, following his reelection, President Putin signed several decrees, including one on foreign policy. The decree officially confirms Vietnam is one of Russia’s top foreign policy priorities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Secondly, State President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to Russia in July pushed the relationship between Vietnam and Russia to a new level.
Thirdly, Prime Minister Medvedev’s visit to Vietnam in November laid a firm foundation for the development of the bilateral relationship, especially following the successful negotiation of several important trade agreements.
Both sides have achieved remarkably in many fields, including the energy sector’s project to build the first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan province.
Two-way trade turnover between the two nations surpassed US$3.5 billion this year, up US$3.5 billion on last year’s figure.
Reporter: How do you assess the importance of the negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan?
Ambassador Kovtun: As agreed, FTA negotiations between Vietnam and the Customs Union will be held in early 2013.
A week ago, the Asia-Europe Economic Council approved an official regulation on the start of the FTA negotiations.An FTA would offer both sides additional import-export prospects, opening up opportunities for future investment between Russia and Vietnam.
We think that both sides can secure a sustainable and stable cooperative relationship in investment.
Reporter: Based on previous results, how will both nations continue to promote cooperative relations next year?
Ambassador Kovtun: 2013 could be a boon for the development of investment and economics, especially considering the important FTA negotiations between Vietnam and the Customs Union’s other member nations.In addition, both sides have agreed to establish a high-level working group led by Ministers of Industry and Trade in order to reach a consensus on the list of Russian investment projects in Vietnam.
We are also striving towards reaching an import-export turnover of US$7 billion by 2015. 2013 will be an important year if this target is to be met.
We hope that the project to build Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan will progress as scheduled. Both sides will continue to cooperate in culture, training, education, science, and technology.In 2012 and 2013, the Russian Government will have presented 420 scholarships to Vietnamese students. It is planning on increasing the number of scholarships awarded in the near future.
Reporter: Thank you.