The visit carries particular significance as it will be the Prime Minister's first trip to Russia since taking office, underscoring Vietnam's commitment to strengthening ties with a longstanding friend and Comprehensive Strategic Partner.

Coming on the heels of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Vietnam's successful hosting of the third ASEAN Future Forum, the Prime Minister's participation reflects the country's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, as well as its commitment to multilateralism and diversified international relations.

The trip also sends a clear message about Vietnam's strong support for the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership and its enduring friendship, strategic trust and effective cooperation with Russia over many decades.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam's ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) Leader, said the overarching objective of the visit is to reinforce Vietnam's role as a bridge-builder, promote consensus and contribute practical initiatives that generate fresh momentum for ASEAN-Russia relations.

The mission is especially meaningful given Vietnam's role in helping build consensus within ASEAN on convening the summit and its upcoming responsibility as ASEAN's coordinator for relations with Russia during the 2027-2030 period.

"This is not simply participation in a summit, but an important step in preparing Vietnam to contribute more deeply to shaping ASEAN-Russia cooperation in the years ahead," Giang said.

Vietnam will work with other member states to promote a practical, balanced and results-oriented approach to ASEAN-Russia cooperation. Priority areas include unlocking untapped potential in trade, science and technology, digital transformation, non-traditional security, education and training, tourism, people-to-people exchanges and, in particular, energy cooperation.

The country is also expected to advocate highly feasible initiatives aligned with ASEAN's needs, Russia's strengths and the demands of the current international environment.

As the first ASEAN member state to sign a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in 2015, Vietnam hopes to help expand cooperation between ASEAN and the broader Eurasian region. Hanoi plans to share practical experience in promoting trade, investment, logistics, supply-chain connectivity and business linkages.

Vietnam will also join discussions on regional and global developments affecting peace, stability, energy security, supply chains and economic development.

With a commitment to dialogue, constructive engagement and respect for international law, Vietnam aims to help strengthen mutual understanding, narrow differences and build trust between ASEAN and Russia as well as among regional partners.

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung is expected to meet President Putin and hold talks with the head of the Republic of Tatarstan.

The meeting with the Russian leader will provide an opportunity to convey the priorities of Vietnam's new government and reaffirm its commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties. The two sides are also expected to discuss major strategic directions, key cooperation priorities and measures to address obstacles in implementing high-level agreements.

A milestone summit in a changing world

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Senior officials from ASEAN member states and Russia attend the ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM). Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The anniversary summit takes place against a backdrop of profound global and regional transformation. Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang noted that the international community is facing what Party General Secretary and State President To Lam recently described at the Shangri-La Dialogue as "three foundational crises" - a crisis of the international order, a crisis of development models and a crisis of strategic trust.

Held nearly five years after the previous ASEAN-Russia summit, which took place virtually in October 2021, the gathering is widely viewed as more than a commemorative event. It is expected to serve as a strategic platform for shaping the next phase of cooperation between the two sides.

Russia has long regarded ASEAN as a key partner and consistently supports ASEAN's central role in the evolving regional architecture. ASEAN, in turn, values Russia's role and influence in regional and global affairs.

The summit is expected to reaffirm the highest-level political commitment to the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership and demonstrate the importance both sides attach to dialogue and cooperation as effective means of fostering peace, security and stability.

Leaders will conduct a comprehensive review of the partnership, assess achievements and shortcomings, identify barriers to cooperation and explore new directions, priority sectors and breakthrough measures to deepen engagement.

Energy security, one of Russia's traditional strengths and a growing priority for ASEAN economies, is expected to feature prominently in discussions. Leaders are also expected to explore opportunities for stronger connectivity and integration between Southeast Asia and the wider Eurasian region.

In addition, ASEAN and Russian leaders will exchange views on major regional and international issues of mutual concern, with the aim of enhancing understanding, strengthening strategic trust and addressing shared challenges based on international law.

The summit is expected to adopt a series of key documents that will guide ASEAN-Russia cooperation in the coming years and better respond to the evolving development needs of both sides.

Three decades of growing ties

Russia's relationship with ASEAN began in July 1991 when a Russian deputy prime minister attended the opening session of the 24th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur as a guest of the Malaysian government.

Following those initial contacts, Russia became a full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN at the 29th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta in July 1996, establishing a formal framework for cooperation.

A major milestone came with the first ASEAN-Russia Summit in Kuala Lumpur on December 13, 2005. At the meeting, both sides signed the Joint Declaration on Progressive and Comprehensive Partnership and adopted the Comprehensive Programme of Action for 2005-2015, laying the foundation for cooperation across political-security, economic and development fields.

Another turning point arrived at the third ASEAN-Russia Summit in Singapore in November 2018, when the relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership. Leaders also adopted a declaration on security and information and communications technology cooperation and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Commission, broadening economic links between Southeast Asia and the Eurasian region.

Most recently, the 22nd ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials' Meeting, held in Kazan in April, confirmed that cooperation continues to advance across multiple areas. Officials reported that implementation of the ASEAN-Russia Plan of Action for 2021-2025, extended through 2026, had reached 82%, reflecting substantial progress.

Economic cooperation has continued to expand through trade and investment initiatives between ASEAN and Russia as well as between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union. Russia remains an important partner in energy and food security, while cultural, educational, academic and people-to-people exchanges have also deepened through youth and young diplomats' summits and other initiatives.

Both sides agreed that ASEAN and Russia should further strengthen their partnership and expand cooperation into emerging areas with significant potential, including clean energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and smart cities.

Tran Thuong