Vietnam seeks vaccine production tech transfer from Russia

During a meeting held alongside Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko as part of his official visit to Russia from September 25 to September 28, the Vietnamese diplomat congratulated Russia on its major development achievements. He went on to affirm that the Vietnamese side always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with its Russian partners.

He therefore thanked the Russian Government for its timely support of the country in pandemic prevention and control, especially the supply of COVID-19 vaccines, along with the recent transfer of biological products to the nation for local production of one million doses.

In response, Russian Deputy PM Chernyshenko said they regard the country to be a friend and a reliable partner, while showing his elation at the Southeast Asian nation’s achievements, especially in macro-economic stabilisation, its response to the pandemic, and vaccination rollout.

Both sides expressed their delight at the great strides made in terms of their comprehensive strategic partnership over recent years. Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic they managed to maintain exchanges through online forms at all levels, key areas of co-operation, including economy and trade which are constantly being strengthened, along with practical and timely co-operation in terms of disease control.

They agreed that in the face of the current rapidly changing situation, it remains essential to redouble efforts aimed at removing obstacles, offering mutual support, and continuing to find new co-operation directions to promote the joint strategic partnership in a substantive and effective manner.

The pair suggested that promoting co-operation mechanism of the Intergovernmental Committee on economic, scientific, and technical collaboration, as well as close and regular co-ordination between ministries and sectors could speed up the implementation of key projects. This would also serve to encourage and create conditions for joint ventures as well as for enterprises of both nations to invest in each country on the basis of utilising successes of joint venture enterprises.

They underlined the need to fully tap into the various advantages brought about by the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and facilitate the export of products that can complement each other in each country's market towards a healthy and balanced trade balance.

Along with traditional fields of co-operation such as energy and oil and gas, the two sides also stressed the necessity of expanding into new fields of collaboration that Russia has strengths and Vietnam has demand in, such as high-tech science and technology, along with scientific research.

The Russian Deputy PM therefore consented to consider increasing scholarships for Vietnamese students at the request of Foreign Minister Son.

Regarding the issue of Vietnamese people in Russia, Deputy PM Chernyshenko said that he would direct relevant Russian agencies to consider and facilitate the extension of residence for Vietnamese citizens. This includes individuals who have expired visas and were unable to return home due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.