By Paul Jouvenet, essayist and consultant. Eurasia Business News, June 20, 2024. Article n°1043.
The Russian-Vietnamese talks were held on June 20 at the presidential palace in Hanoi. The Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived in Vietnam on a state visit, which formally takes place on June 19-20. But the president arrived in Hanoi after 1 a.m. local time on June 20. After the official welcoming ceremony with Vietnamese President To Lam and photographing, the heads of state and delegations went to the talks and then issued a press statement.
President To Lam greeted Vladimir Putin and the Russian delegation and recalled that the invitation was on behalf of the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong. He invited Vladimir Putin to Vietnam in October 2023 at the Belt and Road Forum in China.
“Vietnam also congratulates the Russian Federation on achieving important achievements under your leadership over the past two decades. We are very pleased that political and social stability in Russia is strengthening, the economy is actively developing, the lives of the population are improving, Russia’s position and authority are steadily growing in the international arena,” To Lam said, congratulating Vladimir Putin on his victory in the March presidential election.
President To Lam stressed that Vietnam remembers “the selfless assistance and support that the Russian people provided to Vietnam in our struggle for independence, the construction of the country in the past, as well as at the current stage of development and construction of our state.” According to To Lam, Vietnam considers Russia one of Vietnam’s foreign policy priorities.
In response, Vladimir Putin congratulated To Lam on his election “once again” to the post of president. He noted that these days the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on the Foundations of Friendly Relations between Russia and Vietnam (1994-2024) is being celebrated.
“All this time, we have maintained regular and meaningful political contacts, including through parliaments, ministries, departments, parties, regions and public organizations,” the Russian president said.
Trade turnover between the countries grew by 8% over the past year, and the agreement between the Eurasian Economic Community and Vietnam contributes to the growth of trade.
In 2022, Russia exported $1.61 billion to Vietnam, while Vietnam exported $2.77 billion to Russia. This indicates a total bilateral trade volume of approximately $4.38 billion.
Russia’s main exports to Vietnam: Coal Briquettes ($473M), Hot-Rolled Iron ($198M), and Mixed Mineral or Chemical Fertilizers ($157M).
Vietnam’s main exports to Russia: Coffee ($199M), Broadcasting Equipment ($172M), and Fish Fillets ($64.7M).
Vladimir Putin also stressed that Russia attaches great importance to the development of dialogue with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Vietnam is a member. The Russian President invited To Lam to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in Moscow in 2025.
Following the talks, 15 documents were adopted and signed, including a joint statement by Russia and Vietnam on further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership in the context of the 30th anniversary of the implementation of the Russian-Vietnamese Treaty on the Foundations of Friendly Relations.
A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in Vietnam between Novatek and Petrovietnam Oil and Gas Corporation, a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation in the field of tax policy and tax administration between the Federal Tax Service and the General Administration of Taxation of Vietnam, a plan for cooperation between the Federal Customs Service and the General Administration of Customs of Vietnam in the field of combating customs offenses in 2024-2026 were also signed.
After signing the documents, the two presidents made statements to the media.
Read also : Gold : Build Your Wealth and Freedom
Vladimir Putin thanked the President of Vietnam for the “warm, cordial welcome”: “When I say warm, I mean not only the temperature outside, but also the cordiality with which, as we see, the residents of Hanoi meet our delegation on the streets.”
Relations with Vietnam, the Russian president noted, are of the nature of a strategic partnership and are developing taking into account the interests of the two countries. The talks discussed bilateral cooperation, including trade and investment cooperation, as well as “the most pressing international and regional issues.”
After that, the Russian president held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh. Then he had meetings with the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and the Chairman of the National Assembly Tranh Thanh Man.
Our community already has nearly 130,000 readers!
Notify me when a new article is published:
Follow us on Telegram, Facebook and Twitter
© Copyright 2024 – Eurasia Business News.
Eurasia Business News 