Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and First Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Vladimir Titov have expressed satisfaction with the positive development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia in recent times.

  An overview of the 11th strategic dialogue

The two diplomats co-chaired the 11th strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence and security in Hanoi on March 6, during which they examined ways to boost their bilateral ties and discussed regional and international issues of common concern.

Both sides hailed the trustworthy and close relationship between the two nations and peoples, saying that diverse activities have been launched within the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam (2019-2020) to mark the 70th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the treaty on fundamental principles of the Vietnam-Russia friendship.

They reviewed the implementation of high-level agreements reached during official visits to Russia by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2018, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan last year.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (second from R)

The two sides affirmed their determination to maintain and boost the dynamic growth momentum of cooperation across multiple areas, ranging from politics to economy-trade, national defence-security, science-technology, education-training, culture and tourism, as well as collaboration between localities.

They consented to effectively realise the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union to elevate trade between the two countries to US$10 billion.

They also shared the views on the profound changes of the regional and international situation, and the need to intensify information exchange and closer coordination at multilateral forums, especially at the time when Vietnam serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021 and the ASEAN Chair in 2020.

Vietnam affirmed its recognition of importance to Russia’s role and voice in global issues and security, while Russia applauded Vietnam’s rising position in the region and the world as a whole, as well as the Southeast Asian country’s active role in ASEAN, the UN Security Council (UNSC) and multilateral forums.

They pledged to join hands at the UN and other multilateral forums, and work together to contribute to maintaining peace and stability in Asia-Pacific and the world.

The diplomats also highlighted the progress of the ASEAN-Russia relationship over the past time, stating that Vietnam and Russia will go ahead with their closer coordination to propel the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership.

First Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Vladimir Titov (second from L)

They voiced their support for settling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The same day, the two deputy foreign ministers co-chaired a press conference on the outcomes of the dialogue, during which they stressed that the dialogue shows a high spirit of cooperation.

The Russian official expressed his hope for more high-level delegation exchanges between the two countries in the time ahead to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties, while the host Deputy FM reiterated that as the ASEAN Chair in 2020, Vietnam is ready to work hand in hand with Russia to promote the cooperation agenda between ASEAN and Russia with a focus on priority areas set out by the grouping.

Vietnam is appreciative of Russia’s support for the country’s month-long UNSC presidency, and promised to continue its coordination with Russia to ensure the working programme and accelerate the settlement of issues of international concern, thus ensuring global peace, stability and security.

The Russian Deputy FM also lauded Vietnam’s support for Russia’s initiatives in multitude of fields.

The two sides also compared notes on new cooperation orientations to give a boost to regional and global growth in the future.