“The visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin at this time will mark a new milestone of Vietnam-Russia relations. The visit will also help strengthen and tighten the comprehensive partnership of Vietnam and Russia in the future,” said Mr Nguyen Huu Thanh, President of Vietnam – Russia Friendship Association (VRFA), in an interview with Vietnam Business Forum about activities of VRFA as well as its targets in the coming time to further strengthen the Vietnam-Russia traditional relationship. Le Phuong reports.
What are the activities of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association in strengthening solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Russia?
Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association (VRFA) was established in 1995, inherited the good traditions of Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Association. VRFA always makes significant, practical and effective contributions to diplomatic activities or people-to-people exchanges under the same roof of Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations. Together with departments and unions of Ho Chi Minh City, VRFA has organised a variety of friendship activities such as receiving international delegations, exchanging delegations and experience, organizing art and music performances, cultural and sport activities, organizing writing contests, photo galleries of Russian country and people, and participating in charitable activities.
Some of our profound activities including: publishing a book, namely “Russia: Love & Nostalgia” including stories of memories of living and studying in Russia by many authors coming from all parts of the country; organizing singing competitions (Russian songs); organizing artistic exhibitions of Russian and Vietnamese artists, creating opportunities for Russian artists to perform and serve people in Ho Chi Minh City. Through these activities, VRFA has made significant contributions to build and promote mutual understanding between people of Ho Chi Minh City and of the Russia and of the Republics of the former Soviet Union.
What are the targets of VRFA in the period of 2011-2015, what are the priorities of VRFA to strengthen the traditional relationship of both countries?
We will actively innovate our methods and contents of activities in the coming time, strengthening exchange activities, co-operation in many aspects (economic, technical, scientific, cultural, training), ensuring the improved quality, effectiveness and diversification of Vietnam-Russia friendship activities in Ho Chi Minh City. At the same time, VRFA will closely cooperate with the Russian Embassy in Vietnam, the Consulate General, and Russia Centre in the city in all activities of friendship and co-operation between the both countries.
In terms of business cooperation, what will VRFA do to support businesses from Vietnam and Russia?
This is what we have been thinking and worrying in the past time. Despite ceaseless efforts in recent years, VRFA has not done a good job in playing the role of linking bridge for businesses of both countries. It is expected in 2014, VRFA will organise a dialogue entitled “Vietnam-Russia: presence & the future”. This is a forum for Vietnamese and Russian businesses to exchange ideas, promote understanding, seek cooperation opportunities. And we expect active participation and support from businesses.
According to you, what is the significance of the upcoming visit to Vietnam of the President Vladimir Putin and what do you expect from this visit?
The upcoming visit to Vietnam of President Vladimir Putin is also the second one of the President to Vietnam, I think that it has a special meaning for Vietnam and Russia cooperation relationship, especially in the context that both sides’ comprehensive partnership relations is increasingly consolidated.
As I remember, the first visit of the President to Vietnam in 2002, the President had an intimate and emotional exchange with Vietnamese people who had been studying and working in Russia and in the Republics of former Soviet Union. This exchange had been broadcast live. Through ups and downs of the history, the traditional friendship of both countries’ people is an invaluable asset and a firm foundation for a good co-operation relationship in the future.
So far in 2013, there have been many high profile exchanges of visits of Vietnam and Russia such as the visit of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung to Russia in March, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Russia in May, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan to Russia in September, Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu’s visit to Vietnam in March, Russian Minister for Far East Development V. I. Ishaevto visit Vietnam in June, and recently in October the Russian First Prime Minister I.I Shuvalov to visit Vietnam.
Therefore, I believe that the visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin at this time will mark a new milestone of Vietnam-Russia relation history. The visit will also help strengthen and tighten the comprehensive partnership relationship of Vietnam and Russia in the future.
Đăng ký: VietNam News