Vietnam’s active participation in APEC summit praised

The APEC Summit Week taking place in Vladivostok, Russia, from September 2-9 is one of major events hosted by Russia in 2012.

On the occasion, Russian ambassador to Vietnam Andrey G.Kovtun granted an inclusive interview to a VOV reporter.

Russian ambassador to Vietnam Andrey G.Kovtun

Reporter:  Could you please tell us about the significance of the APEC Summit in Russia?

Mr Kovtun: The organization of the APEC Summit in Russia is of great significance to us as we consider the assumption of APEC presidency to be the top priority in the integration process to promote effective cooperation for mutual benefits with Asian- Pacific nations.

Thorough preparations for the event during the whole year aim to create necessary conditions for modernizing Russia and boosting socio-economic development in Siberia and Russia’s Far East.

Reporter: Could you please elaborate on Russia’s initiatives at the Summit?

Mr Kovtun: Since early this year, as APEC chair, we have helped organize nearly 100 activities, including ministerial meetings, senior official meetings (SOM) and a lot of seminars and conferences.

We have introduced as many as 50 initiatives aimed at promoting cooperation in four key priority areas: trade liberalization, investment and regional economic integration;  food security; forwarding service and creative growth.

Reporter: What about you tell us about President Sang’s participation in the Summit?

Mr Kovtun: President Sang’s participation helps accelerate the implementation of the above-mentioned priority areas.

Mr Sang will deliver a speech on the safety of water resources at closed sessions on food security which is an urgent issue for Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific and the world at large.

During the APEC Summit, President Sang is scheduled to meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, as well as Primorie and Far East representatives.

He also attends the opening ceremony of the Russia-Vietnam business forum.

Reporter: What is Russia’s assessment of Russia-Vietnam cooperation prospects within the framework of APEC?

Mr Kovtun: The potential of bilateral cooperation within APEC is great. Through the APEC Summit, Vietnam and Russian can learn valuable experience from APEC members that will help promote our cooperation.

Reporter: What do you think about the current Russia-Vietnam cooperation?

Mr Kovtun: Bilateral cooperation has paid off in various fields in recent years, opening up new prospects for further development.

Our effective cooperation was proven by President Sang’s visit to Russia in July and his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and meetings with other Russian senior leaders.

We need to exert greater efforts to implement the agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders in July.

Reporter: What are specific cooperation areas and projects?

Mr Kovtun: Oil and gas exploitation is Russia’s area of strength in which Vietnam can cooperate effectively. Vietsovpetro is a case in point, and there are other projects run by Vietgazprom and Gazpromviet in Russia. Many Russian oil and gas companies are operating in Vietnam’s continental shelf.

Apart from energy projects, the two countries have agreed to cooperate in mining industry.

Russian scholarships for Vietnamese students have increased from 320 last year to more than 400 this year.

On tourism cooperation, according to travel operators, the number of Russian tourists to Vietnam in Autumn-Winter will double last year’s figure of more than 100,000 to visit Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Danang, Phu Quoc and other places of interest in Vietnam

Reporter: Thank you very much.