Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son ( Image: dangcongsan.vn ) Nhan Dan Online – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and the Vietnamese delegation arrived in Hanoi on May 18 after concluding successful official visits to the Russian Federation (Russia) and the Republic of Belarus (Belarus). Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son granted reporters an interview on the results of the visits, as well as developments in negotiations for establishing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, and the prospects for future co-operation between Vietnam, Russia and Belarus.Reporter: PM Dung has just concluded his official visits to Vietnam’s traditional friends Russia and Belarus. Could you brief us about their outcomes?Deputy Minister Son: PM Dung has wrapped up his official visit to Russia from May 12-15 and to Belarus from May 16-17, which solidified the comprehensive Vietnam – Russia strategic partnership and the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Belarus.
The visits produced positive outcomes in many fields. PM Dung was received respectfully in both European countries, demonstrating the close relationship between the people of Vietnam, Russia and Belarus.
During open and constructive talks, the hosts and their guest said they hope to further the relationship for the best interests of all sides. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he values the unique Russia – Vietnam relationship and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the special relationship between Belarus and Vietnam is based on their time honoured friendship.
PM Dung’s visit to Russia aimed to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership agreed upon last year by high-level leaders from both countries, particularly this year’s priorities for co-operation in politics, economics, trade, national defence and security, as well as culture, education, training. The visit also aimed to promote exchanges between the Vietnamese and Russian people.
The leaders of both countries said they hoped to make a breakthrough in economic and trade ties, focusing particularly on fostering negotiations for the FTA between Vietnam and the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Customs Union, which will be able to double or triple two-way trade in the future.
The two countries’ bilateral strategic projects have been implemented effectively. During PM Dung’s visit, six oil and gas contracts and agreements were signed between the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and top Russian oil and gas corporations, including Rosneft, Gazprom and Zarubezneft.
Both sides also enhanced their strategic co-operation regarding building nuclear power plants in Vietnam. PM Dung reviewed the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant during meetings with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and President Putin, and they agreed that the project is being implemented on schedule and in accordance with agreed commitments to utilise the safest and most modern technology.
Russia committed to coordinate with Vietnam in both building the nuclear power plant and developing the country’s future nuclear power industry, including establishing a centre for nuclear power technology and training a human resources for the sector. One hundred and sixty three Vietnamese experts and engineers are currently studying in Russia and 70 more will enrol this September.
The two sides exchanged and shared experiences in national defence and security, specifically related to their coordination. Russia considers Vietnam a trustworthy partner and has transferred modern military technology to the country. Agreements on military technical co-operation have also been discussed and implemented in the spirit of their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Co-operation in education, training and personal exchanges between Vietnam and Russia will take place in the future. President Putin affirmed that Russia will grant Vietnam preferential credit to build the Vietnam – Russia Technology University in Hanoi with the goal of developing human resources for the country’s industrialisation and modernisation.
PM Dung paid a reciprocal visit to Belarus following Belarusian PM Mikhail Myasnikovich’s visit to Vietnam in 2011 and the two sides discussed fields for future co-operation.
Belarus agreed to help Vietnam develop its mechanical engineering sector, promote Vietnamese seafood and agricultural exports to Belarus, and enhance future co-operation in education and training by providing more scholarships for Vietnamese students to study in the European country.
The two countries’ leaders discussed ways to increase bilateral trade, improve the trade balance and facilitate investment.
PM Dung’s visits to Russia and Belarus have generally furthered relations for the benefit of all sides. Both Russia and Belarus affirmed they will work closely with Vietnam in the international area to ensure peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region and the world. They also take an active stance on ensuring maritime security and safety and on peacefully settling disputes in the East Sea according to international laws and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Reporter:Can you tell us about specific developments in the FTA negotiations between Vietnam and the Belarus-Kazakhstan- Russia Customs Union after PM Dung’s visits to the two European countries?Deputy Minister Son: This is the first time the Union has opened negotiations with a non-member country and it hopes to establish a model for future FTA negotiations with other countries in the Asia Pacific region.
The first round of negotiations are over and during his visits, PM Dung and the European leaders agreed to accelerate the negotiations and conclude them within two years.
The FTA will boost bilateral trade, and also create joint ventures and investment partnerships between Vietnam and the Customs Union countries.
Reporter:What can you say about the future prospects of the Vietnam – Russia and Vietnam – Belarus relationships?Deputy Minister Son: Vietnam’s co-operative relations with the two European countries have great potential to strengthen and expand into new areas. Vietnam and Russia have established the Vietnam- Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Co-operation and held strategic bilateral dialogues as well as diplomatic, defence, security and political consultations, between their Foreign Ministries. Vietnam and Belarus have also created their own Inter-Governmental Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Co-operation.
Agencies and localities from both sides conduct regular exchanges of high-level delegations and they will co-ordinate to consolidate their bilateral relationships, particularly in their strength such as economics and trade.
Based on their comprehensive strategic partnership, I hope that co-operation between Vietnam and Russia will flourish in all fields. The high level of mutual trust between Vietnam and Belarus will lay a firm foundation for both countries to promote co-operation in trade, investment and other fields in which both sides are strong.
The outcomes of the two visits will continue to foster Vietnam’s traditional friendships with Russia and Belarus to benefit the people of all three countries.
Reporter:Thank you very much for the interview.
(Source: VNA/ Translated by Nhan Dan Online)
Đăng ký: VietNam News
