Vietnam-Russia Seminar on "International cooperation in an ever-changing world"

On February 25th & 26th 2019, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in collaboration with the Valdai Discussion Club organized the Vietnam-Russia Seminar on the topic of “International cooperation in an ever-changing world” in Ho Chi Minh City. The seminar is an activity within the framework of Vietnam-Russia exchanging year, organized to celebrate 25 years anniversary of signing the Treaty of fundamental principles in Vietnam-Russia friendly relations, heading to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties establishment between the two countries (1950-2020). This activity was jointly organized by the Russian Embassy in Vietnam, the Consulate General of Russia in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Rosneft Group (sponsor).

At the opening remarks, Mr. Bui Thanh Son, Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister, welcomed the presence of Russian Federation Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and stated that it does not only mean essential to the meeting but also to affirm that the strong traditional tie between Vietnam and the Russian Federation is continue being strengthen and further developed.

The relations between Vietnam and the former Soviet as well as the current Russian Federation, being challenged by the time, always prove its kindness, trustworthiness, and sturdiness regardless of how the history goes.

Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that, recently the political tie between the two countries holds high trust, the eco-commerce relations continue to be deepened, the security-military cooperation is comprehensive and that of fields like economy, cultural-social, education-training are gradually developed.

Sharing evaluations on a current ever-changing world, Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son expressed his hope that at the seminar, prestigious scholars and professors of the two countries can specify together the prominent features within the context of the current ever-changing world, precisely evaluate new opportunities and challenges put forward for the two countries’ bilateral relations, from there, put forward suggested policies for both the Vietnamese and Russian government. 

Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that, on the basis of the currently good relationship, Vietnam and Russia can definitely utilize opportunities and overcome the challenges of an ever-changing world to continue build up the relationship to a new level, for the benefits of the world in general and of the two countries in particular.

Sharing a consensus view with the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam’s opinion, Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Russian Federation Foreign Minister, said that within a complex and fast-paced world context, the Russia-ASEAN relations plays an important role in coping with the ever-changing situation. Both sides, on the basis of collective interest, need to continue putting effort in building an economic and security cooperative mechanism to find solution fo regional and global peace and security. The Russian Federation is an indispensable member of the Asia-Pacific region and often cares about stregthening relationship with regional countries, especially Vietnam, regarding the issues of anti-terrorism, illegal migration prevention, network security, healthcare, etc.

Asserting the importance of the Russia-Vietnam relations, Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that, Vietnam-Russia cooperative relations is gradually developing in many fields such as military, security, economics, culture, education, tourism, and many more potential ones in the near future.

The speakers, including many specialists, scholars at universities, research institutes, and representatives of Ministries and departments of Vietnam, had focused on discussing issues regarding: regional security in Asia: challenges and opportunities; multilateral cooperation in Asia and the Eurasia continental; potentials for a post-2019 Vietnam-Russia relationship. At the seminar, the Vietnamese and Russian specialists and scholars had a throughout discussion on the security situation, regional multilateral mechanism and the Vietnam-Russia bilateral cooperation under variant aspects to put forward evaluations on the potential and suggested orientation to further develop the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the new context.