In an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Russia ahead of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Dmitry Georgievich Novikov, first vice chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) and a member of the State Duma stressed that under the leadership of late President Ho Chi Minh, the CPV built a new Vietnamese state and defeated attempts by external forces to subjugate the Vietnamese people.

He affirmed that the CPV is the leading force of Vietnamese society, shaping the country’s development vision. It sets socio-economic and political objectives, as well as directions for the development of science, education, healthcare and culture. Across all these fields, Vietnam has achieved outstanding results. Even when the economy suffered a severe shock following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Vietnam not only overcame the difficulties but continued to make progressive advances.

According to Novikov, left-wing forces, including the KPRF, have always welcomed Vietnam’s development achievements. He expressed hope that the decisions to be adopted at the 14th Congress would guide the country confidently into the future – a socialist future. For Russian communists this is also a particularly important moment, as Vietnam’s success affirms that socialism has fulfilled its historic promise, the senior party official said.

Commenting on the 14th National Party Congress, Novikov said he was confident that the goals set out would further consolidate and strengthen the Party, enabling it to move forward and helping the Government and people achieve new results and successes in the years ahead. He hoped these achievements would go hand in hand with the further development of cooperation between Vietnam and Russia.

Having overcome numerous challenges, the two countries are developing relations across a wide range of fields. Agreements establishing a common trade area have been in place for more than a decade, with tangible results. In the oil and gas sector, alongside Vietsovpetro, the newer joint venture RusVietPetro has enabled Russian and Vietnamese experts to work together in Russia on oil and gas production projects. Novikov described this as a highly promising and interesting area of cooperation.

He expressed the hope that the objectives outlined at the Congress would be closely linked to national development and the expansion of economic cooperation across multiple sectors, including the further development of trade and economic ties with Russia. The official added that the KPRF’s parliamentary group in the State Duma would continue to use its political resources, authority and influence within Russian society to strengthen the bilateral relations.

Novikov said there were ample grounds to forecast that relations between the CPV and the KPRF would continue to develop strongly in the coming period. At present, the Russian side is actively discussing its work plan for the year ahead, and the two parties may soon begin preparations for a third joint forum.

He voiced confidence that under the CPV leadership, Vietnam would continue to write a bright future, and that the 14th National Party Congress would be a success, adopting important and effective decisions.

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