In an article penned to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (January 30, 1950-2015), he noted that the Soviet Union was one of the first countries to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam.

The event marked a milestone in bilateral ties and laid the foundation for a flourishing friendship between the two countries, he said.

The article, titled "Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: 65-year Path," gives an overall perspective on the history and current status of Viet Nam-Russia ties, and highlights potential opportunities for future co-operation.

The effective political, economic and military support that the Soviet Union provided Viet Nam during its struggle for independence, freedom and reunification played a significant role in the nation's final victory in the spring of 1975, Minh said.

Furthermore, tens of thousands of Vietnamese officials and experts have been trained in Russia, becoming an integral force for Viet Nam's "doi moi" (reform) process.

The Soviet Union's assistance has also contributed to boosting the development of various sectors in Viet Nam , especially energy, industry, agriculture, and science and technology.

Since Viet Nam and Russia established a Strategic Partnership in 2011 and elevated it to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2012, their co-operation has yielded more fruitful outcomes.

The Deputy PM said a high degree of trust and diverse forms of affiliation are highlights of relations between Viet Nam and Russia.

Both sides have an annual high-level meeting mechanism and enjoy close co-ordination at international forums, especially at the United Nations and other international organisations with ASEAN playing a central role, Minh noted.

Economic collaboration has also been growing on the four key pillars of trade, investment, oil and gas and electricity, he said.

Bilateral trade surged to nearly US$3 billion in 2014 from just $500 million in 2001, he said, adding that negotiations for a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Customs Union of Russia-Kazakhstan-Belarus have been completed.

Rising oil and gas affiliations have also fuelled both economies, and a new milestone reached in nuclear power collaboration.

The Deputy PM also underlined the importance of bilateral defence-security and military technology co-operation between Viet Nam and Russia.

He said promoting the traditional ties of friendship and mutual support between the two countries will contribute to peace, stability and progress in the region and the world.

‘Mutually beneficial success'

Minh's counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also wrote an article highlighting the "glorious" 65-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

He reviewed important benchmarks of the time-honoured relationship, including the establishment of the bilateral strategic partnership during the first visit to Viet Nam by President Vladimir Putin in March 2001, and the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership during President Truong Tan Sang's visit to Russia in July 2012.

Lavrov noted that trade between the two sides was rapidly expanding and set to exceed $10 billion in 2020.

He said Russia considers co-operation with the Asia-Pacific region a strategic priority that it seeks to fortify through co-ordination with Viet Nam.

Leaders exchange greetings on Vietnam-Russian ties anniversary

Leaders of Vietnam and Russia have exchanged greetings on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (January 30, 1950-2015).

In their message, President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung underlined that the Vietnam-Russia friendship has endured all challenges, proving its strong vitality and constant growth. They affirmed that the friendship is an invaluable asset that the two nations have worked together to build and preserve throughout the past 65 years. It is also a great strength and a firm foundation for the two countries to develop their cooperation, the leaders said.

“The Vietnamese people will forever keep in their mind and be grateful for the great political, economic and military support and help that your country has given us during the hardest moments in our struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as in our current national construction and development,” the message read.

Meanwhile, President V. Putin wrote in his message to President Truong Tan Sang that in 1950, the Soviet Union was one of the first countries to extend help to an independent Vietnam, and since then the two countries have established firm relations of friendship and alliance.

“I am pleased to note that the Russia-Vietnam relations are continuing to develop strongly in all fields on the basis of glorious traditions in the past,” he wrote.

President Putin, Prime Minister D. Medvedev and leaders of the Russian Federal Assembly all stressed the readiness to cooperate actively with Vietnamese partners in carrying out major bilateral projects in the fields of economy-trade, investment, industry, energy, military technology and the humanities.

They said the signing of a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam will open up great prospects for further strengthening cooperative ties.

Leaders of both countries emphasized that the Vietnam-Russia relationship is typical for its friendship, comradeship and mutual sharing and support. They took note of the strong development of cooperation in all fields, meeting both countries’ needs in their development and international integration process.

The leaders shared the view that more efforts are needed to constantly deepen the two countries’ comprehensive partnership in order to elevate the Vietnam-Russia ties to new heights, meeting the interests and aspirations of both nations and for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also exchanged messages of greetings with Foreign Minister S. Lavrov.

Activities marks 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Russia ties

The Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association and Vietnam’s Embassy in Russia jointly hosted a ceremony in Moscow on January 28 to mark the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties.

Addressing the event, Tatarinov A.A, Director of the Third Asia Department under Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), said the establishment of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties 65 years ago has marked an important milestone in history of the two countries, opening a new page in the bilateral relations.

Russia was among the first nations to recognise the independence and sovereignty of Vietnam, which had greatly enhanced the Asian country’s position in the international arena and affirmed its role in the global relationship, he recalled.

The two countries’ relations have been growing over the years, reflected by a number of the pair’s major collaborative projects, like Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant and Vietsopetro, a Russian-Vietnamese Oil and Gas Joint Venture.

He also spoke highly of Vietnam as a strategic comprehensive partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region who supports Russia’s voice in regional and international issues.

Vietnamese Minister-Counselor Nguyen Hung said Vietnamese people always bear in mind the immense and wholehearted assistance offered by former Soviet Union and Russia today.

Vietnam wishes to further bolster the collaboration with the partner, fueling the development of the pair’s diplomatic ties and economic co-operation, he said.

Meanwhile, in Hanoi, the Russian Embassy, the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum jointly organised an exhibition featuring the time-honoured relationship between the two countries, on January 29.

More than 120 photos, materials and objects are displayed in two sections, with one depicting the relations between Vietnam and former Soviet Union and activities of Nguyen Ai Quoc (late President Ho Chi Minh) in the Soviet Union; and the other focusing on the friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and Russia today.

The exhibition will run until February 6.

Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties marked in Hanoi

The Russian Embassy in Hanoi on January 30 gave a reception to mark the 65th anniversary of Vietnam and Russia diplomatic ties.

Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai described the establishment of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties 65 years ago (January 30, 1950) as an important milestone in history of the two countries, saying that it laid a foundation for their close friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

Vietnam always remembers and appreciates Russia’s support in the past and present, he said.

He highlighted the countries’ achievements in all-around cooperation, especially in politics-diplomacy, economics-trade, energy, and defence-security, saying that Vietnam and Russia will obtain more fruits, contributing to each nation’s development, for peace, development in the region and the world.

Russian Charge d’Affaires in Vietnam Vladimir Bublikov reviewed the two countries’ achievements over the past 65 years. The two sides set up the mechanism of annual high-level delegation exchange.

Russia helped Vietnam in building key infrastructure projects, such as Hoa Binh and Tri An hydropower plants, Pha Lai thermoelectricity plant and Vietnam-Russia Oil and Gas Joint Venture Vietsopetro, which play an important role in promoting Vietnam’s economic development.

The two sides look to further their links through new oil and gas joint ventures such Rusvietpetro and Gazpromviet, especially the implementation of Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant with Russia’s support.

VNA/VNS/Nhan Dan