Workshop on "Vietnam-Russia Relations in the 21st Century: Realizing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership"
On 16/11/2012, The Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University in Russian Federation) jointly organized a workshop on "Vietnam - Russia Relations in the 21st Century: Realizing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in Hanoi.
Present in the workshop, from Russian side, were Ambassador Andrey Kovtun, staff from the Russian Embassy in Vietnam, scholars from MGIMO University, as well as from other Russian research institutions. Vietnamese representatives came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials, experts and scholars from research institutions under the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, DAV’s research staff and faculty members.
Overview of the workshop
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, DAV President, Mr. Victor Sumsky, Director of the ASEAN center, MGIMO University and Mr. Andrey Kovtun, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in Vietnam delivered their opening speeches at the workshop.
The workshop focused on four key issues: (i) The process of reform in Vietnam and Russia in the last 20 years; (ii) Vietnam – Russia bilateral relations in the 21st century; (iii) Vietnam – Russia relations in the context of East Asia; and (iv) Vietnam – Russia cooperation over global issues.
In the discussion sessions, participants provided profound, objective analysis and evaluation on these issues and related topics. The participants agreed that the Vietnam - Russia relationship has a long tradition of friendship nurtured by the leaders and people from the two countries for ages. The Vietnamese government and its people always appreciate the valuable assistance of the former Soviet Union and the current Russian Federation in Vietnamese cause to protect and build the country.
Entering the 21st century, Vietnam - Russia bilateral relations continue to achieve impressive development. In 2001, the two countries signed a Joint Declaration establishing strategic partnership and elevated their relations to a comprehensive level during President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to the Russian Federation in July 2012. Early this month, the Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, paid an official visit to Vietnam just after the establishment of the new partnership framework.
In the current world and regional context, Vietnam and Russia are actively involved in the international community, helping solve current global issues. To implement such a framework, the two countries should deepen its bilateral cooperation of national strategic importance, and those aspects need to become comprehensive for the fundamental interests of each country.
Overall, the workshop assessed the overall objective comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, and specific policies to deepen the strategic partnership. The workshop also discussed ways on how to turn Vietnam – Russia relations into more substantive contribution to the development strategy of each country, and to the peace and stability in Southeast Asia and in the world over.
