Post by : Shakul

Vietnam and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation following high-level meetings held on the sidelines of the 29th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and representatives of several leading Russian corporations to discuss new opportunities for economic growth and strategic partnership.

During the talks, Deputy Prime Minister Chernyshenko congratulated Pham Gia Tuc on his appointment and described Vietnam as one of Russia’s most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region. He praised the positive development of bilateral relations and highlighted ongoing cooperation in trade, energy, oil and gas, tourism, culture, science, and education.

A key focus of the discussions was the implementation of long-term strategic projects. The Russian side proposed closer coordination on major initiatives including energy cooperation, scientific research, educational exchanges, the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant project, and the development of the Pushkin Russian Language Center. Both governments expressed support for strengthening collaboration in sectors that can deliver long-term economic benefits.

Pham Gia Tuc reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to deepening its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia. He emphasized that the new Vietnamese government would continue working closely with Moscow to effectively implement agreements reached by senior leaders and expand cooperation into emerging sectors while strengthening traditional areas of collaboration.

Despite challenges in the global economy, both sides noted encouraging progress in bilateral trade and investment. Two-way trade is projected to increase by 5.7 percent in 2025, while cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and higher education continues to grow. Cultural exchanges and tourism have also gained momentum, reflecting stronger people-to-people connections between the two countries.

The two deputy prime ministers agreed to accelerate preparations for future high-level exchanges and the 26th session of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee, which is expected to be hosted by Vietnam in 2026. Officials also discussed the possibility of finalizing a visa exemption agreement for group tourism, a move expected to encourage greater travel and business activity.

During separate meetings with executives from VTB Bank, Novatek, and AFK Systema, Russian business leaders expressed confidence in Vietnam’s economic potential and long-term growth prospects. Pham Gia Tuc welcomed their interest and reiterated that Vietnam remains committed to creating a favorable environment for foreign investors. He stressed that the success of international businesses operating in Vietnam contributes directly to the country's development goals and broader economic progress.

#Economy #Vietnam #healthy relationship #Investment