Vietnam places great importance on its relationship with Russia in all areas, stated National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man during a meeting with State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin on September 9 in Moscow.

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man and Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin. Source: VNA

For his part, Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin emphasized that Russia views Vietnam as a close partner. He expressed that Chairman Man's visit lays a solid foundation and contributes positively to the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and Vietnam.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man thanked Russia for its support in ensuring security and providing favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community living, working, and studying in Russia. He highlighted the need for both nations to enhance labor cooperation and promote people-to-people exchanges.

He also proposed that the two sides should work swiftly to finalize and sign agreements to attract Vietnamese workers to Russia, while also facilitating easier travel and exchanges between citizens of both countries. Regarding local cooperation, Chairman Man noted that there are currently 20 partnerships between provinces and cities of Vietnam and Russia and suggested that these localities continue fostering more practical and regular exchanges.

Chairman Volodin suggested that both sides explore and establish new cooperative mechanisms to further expand collaboration.

Chairman Man proposed increasing legislative exchanges, sharing experiences, enhancing coordination in supervising the implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements, and improving the legal framework to support cooperation between governments, localities, businesses, and the people of both countries.

Chairman Man and Chairwoman of the Russian Federation Council Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko. 

Following the talks, Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Chairman Volodin co-chaired the 3rd session of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, where delegates exchanged views and experiences on legislative activities aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation. These discussions covered key areas such as economic and trade relations, investment, finance and banking, energy, science and technology, education and training, construction, and healthcare.

On the same day, Chairman Tran Thanh Man held a meeting with Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Russian Federation Council. Matviyenko emphasized that tourism cooperation highlights the strong and friendly relationship between the two countries, suggesting that expanding direct flights between Russia and Vietnam would help maintain this momentum.

Chairman Man reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Russia in areas such as economic, trade, and investment relations, including oil and gas energy, defense and security, science, education, training, culture, sports, tourism, and healthcare. He also emphasized the importance of fostering cooperation between localities of both countries. Vietnam supports Russia’s increased presence in the Asia-Pacific region and its collaboration with ASEAN, offering to serve as a bridge for enhancing Russia’s ties with ASEAN nations.

Additionally, Chairman Man urged Russia to support ASEAN and Vietnam’s position in peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

After the meeting, at the Federation Council's headquarters, Chairman Man and Chairwoman Matviyenko signed a cooperation agreement between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Federation Council of Russia. They also witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and Rostov province.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s visit to Russia from September 8 to 10 marks his first overseas trip in his new role and the first official visit to Russia by a senior leader of Vietnam in 2024.

Vietnam and the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations in 1950. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia was recognized as its successor state. In June 1994, Vietnam and Russia signed the Treaty on Basic Principles of Friendship, and in 2012, they elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

According to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Russia reached $3.63 billion in 2023, a 2.3% increase from 2022. In 2023, Russia offered 1,000 scholarships to Vietnamese students, with around 5,000 Vietnamese students currently studying in Russia. The Vietnamese community in Russia is estimated to number between 60,000 and 80,000.

Ngoc Mai

Đăng Tin Sở Ngoại Vụ