Vietnam, Russia enjoy prospects for closer cooperation

  

The good sentiments of Russian people towards Vietnam remain unchanged by temporary factors and contexts, said Russian Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrey Grigorievich Kovtun.

2010 is a significant year for both Vietnam and Russia, including the 35th anniversary of the Liberation of South Vietnam and Russia’s 65th anniversary of victory over fascism. On the occasion, a VOV reporter conducted an interview with Russian Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrey Grigorievich Kovtun.

Reporter: Together with peace-loving people around the world, especially the Russian people, Vietnam will also mark the 65th anniversary of victory over fascism on May 9. What is your opinion about the historical significance of the victory to Russia and world peace?

Ambassador Andrey G. Kovtun: The Second World War (WWII) was the most important historical event of the 20th century. The victory over fascism in that devastating and bloody war is of great significance to all countries around the world, and even to the current foundation of the world order.

The struggle to protect humanity’s future took place on all the battlefields of the war of national defence carried out by the former Soviet Union against Nazism.

 

The victory over Nazism came at a huge price. The long-lasting war, involving 72 countries, caused great loss of human life and property, killing more than 55 million people, including 27 million Russians.

May 1945 became a turning point in humanity’s development history, marking an irreversible process – the collapse of colonialism in many countries in Asia, Africa and America. During WWII, 69 percent of the world’s population and 77 percent of the world’s territory were under colonial regimes. By the end of mid-1970s, those rates were just 0.2 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively. Almost of all former colonial countries now have national sovereignty, including Vietnam.

 

The May 1945 Victory has basically changed the world map, opening a new chapter of human history. The past struggle has proven the effectiveness of joint efforts in resolving global issues, and demonstrated that individualism and egoism is incompatible with the progress and development of democracy.

 

For the Russian people and citizens of independent nations, which were previously part of the former Soviet Union, May 9 is always a special day.

 

Reporter: In your opinion, what will the world do to ensure peace in the current context?

 

Ambassador Andrey G. Kovtun: The May 9 Victory might partially answer your question. One of the most important lessons in the war against fascism is that we can not resolve our nation’s security issues by making a negative impact on other countries’ security and sovereignty. Past events have demonstrated that the most effective measure to prevent invasion is to join hands and support each other in dealing with common threats.

 

It is essential to maintain a carefully considered and responsible policy and pay due attention to common interests.

 

Reporter: What do you think about Vietnam’s April 30 victory liberating southern Vietnam, which received wholehearted assistance from the people of the former Soviet Union?

 

Ambassador Andrey G. Kovtun: We greatly admire the Vietnamese people’s brave spirit of struggle for national independence over the centuries. Their long war against US invaders was fought for independence, sovereignty and self-determination and therefore was a just war.

 

It’s no accident that the whole progress of mankind in the 1960s and 1970s stood side by side with you. There were meetings held around the globe in support of your valiant nation who dared to counter the world’s strongest enemy. The Great Victory of 1975 bears a global significance.

 

Nowadays many people worldwide still admire the Vietnamese people’s courage and art of war. Vietnam was able to defeat an enemy with superior strength and technology. Your victory has nourished the hope for justice and liberation among oppressed peoples all over the world.

 

We are proud that the Soviet Union contributed to your glorious victory. Since the very first days of the war, Soviet experts stood by you and gave you considerable spiritual and technical assistance.

 

 

 

Reporter: With high-level visits, 2010 marks new orientations for Russian-Vietnamese cooperation. Could you please assess these traditional ties between the two countries and prospects for future cooperation?

 

Ambassador Andrey G. Kovtun: So far the relations between Russia and Vietnam are particularly marked by reliability and mutual respect. We have a rich history of cooperation and friendship over many years in various fields. The two countries’ history is not affected by disputes or other adverse situations. All these help lay a solid foundation for the development of the bilateral strategic partnership in the future.

 

I want to highlight that the Russian people’s feelings for your country remain unchanged and are not affected by changing circumstances or other factors. We stood side by side during Vietnam’s days of struggle for independence and freedom as well as in its later process of restoration.

 

Today, Russia-Vietnam ties are becoming more and more comprehensive, resulting from the process of regular dialogues between the two countries’ top leaders and stable relations between ministries, sectors and societies from Russia and Vietnam.

 

Economic and trade cooperation remains the most important component of Vietnam-Russia ties. Last year, two-way trade revenues between our countries did not decline but went up despite the global financial crisis.

 

Ahead of us are very bright prospects for cooperation!

 

(VOVNEWS)