Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Russian Foreign Sergei Lavrov hailed the flourishing partnership during their talks in Hanoi on April 16 as part of the Russian FM’s official visit to Vietnam from April 15-16.

On politics-diplomacy, the two sides have maintained mechanisms for regular mutual consultation and exchange visits.

Last year’s two-way trade hit nearly US$4 billion while remarkable progress has been seen in energy cooperation, national defense and security, culture, education and tourism.

However, the trade value still remains modest compared to the two countries’ potential as it only accounts for approximately 1% of Vietnam’s trade value and 0.5% of Russia’s trade turnover.

During the talks, the two FMs discussed measures to expand bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, culture, education, science and technology as well as promote coordination in the international arena.

They also dilated the implementation of key projects, including the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant No.1 and construction of a Center for Nuclear Science and Technology in Vietnam, and how to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese people to work effectively and legally in Russia.

Concerning regional and international situation, Deputy PM Minh voiced his belief that Russia will continue to enhance its role in increasing cooperation in Asia-Pacific, especially at multi-lateral forums coordinated by ASEAN like the East- Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

FM Minh called for practical, transparent and responsible engagement of big countries in the region including Russia which will help promote peace, stability and development.

In 2015, Vietnam and Russia will celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties which have been built on mutual trust and cooperation.

For his part, Russian FM Lavrov commended both nations’ joint efforts to expand the bilateral ties and believed that the two-way trade will continue to grow after the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan is signed. Lavrov said the two countries shared the same views on many international issues, including their support for the United Nations’ crucial role in expanding the collective principle in international relations.

He also said Russia backs Vietnam’s active role in ASEAN and the regional grouping’s central role in the regional architecture.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides shared the view on the need to solve disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) while working towards the building of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea. 

After the talks, the two FMs signed a cooperation plan between the two foreign ministries for the 2015-2016 period. 

At a joint press briefing later, Deputy PM and FM Minh said the talks focused on measures to further bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of economics and trade in the interests of both countries. 

VOV