(VOVworld) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong is on an official visit to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. The visit seeks to create momentum for the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. Anh Huyen comments:

During the visit, Trong will hold talks with President Putin and other senior Russian officials on ways to deepen bilateral ties in all areas including politics, economics, investment, energy, oil and gas, nuclear power, national defense, and security. They will also compare notes on global and regional issues and discuss possible coordinated action.

Practical cooperation

2012 saw an important milestone in Vietnam-Russia relations when the two countries upgraded their strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which has resulted in growing bilateral trade. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said: “The comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia has boosted bilateral cooperation and brought about positive results. The two countries have maintained regular exchanges, consultations, and high-ranking visits. Economic cooperation has developed steadily. Two-way trade reached approximately 4 billion USD in 2013, up 7% from 2012. Positive results in oil and gas and energy cooperation have generated considerable and stable revenues for both countries.”

Russia ranks 18^th among the 101 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Vietnamese investment in Russia has increased rapidly in recent years. The two countries have established a joint taskforce to boost Russia’s priority investment projects in Vietnam. Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus have conducted 7 rounds of negotiations for a free trade agreement, which is expected to be signed by the end of this year. This agreement will help Vietnam and Russia bring two-way trade to 7 billion USD by 2015 and 10 billion USD by 2020. During a Vietnam visit early this year Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: “Negotiations for a free trade agreement are taking place at the same time as activities of the joint taskforce on priority projects. Both sides are considering important bilateral projects. Vietnamese and Russian companies and corporations are considering the expansion of cooperation in oil and gas to make energy a pillar of Vietnam-Russia economic relations now and in the future.”

Treasuring the past, toward the future

 64 years ago, the Soviet Union was one of the first countries in the world to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Despite global complexities, relations between the two countries have continued to grow closer. In the context of changes in the global political and social spheres, Vietnam and Russia have continued to be one another’s reliable friend and important partner. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said: “Vietnam believes Russia will continue contributing to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. A peaceful, stable, and prosperous Asia-Pacific will benefit countries in the region including Russia and Vietnam. The practical, transparent, and responsible participation of major world powers like Russia will be beneficial to regional peace, stability, and development.”