Vietnam and Russia issued a joint statement on the occasion of President Tran Dai Quang’s official visit to Russia from June 28-July 1.

President Tran Dai Quang (L) and President Vladimir Putin shake hands after the signing ceremony of bilateral cooperation deals

The joint statement noted that during their talks on June 29, the two presidents evaluated the current situation and prospects of the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, while giving measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in prioritised areas and discussing international and regional matters of shared concern.

The two sides agreed to maintain regular and practical political consultation at all levels, as well as effective meetings through the channels of Party, parliament, ministries, sectors, localities and social organisations.

The two leaders stressed the need to seek new growth momentums to ensure dynamic development of economic-trade cooperation, and meet the urgent demands of the tasks on improving two-way trade and completing bilateral trade structure.

Therefore, the two sides concurred to work for the efficient implementation of the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) that was signed on May 29, 2015 and related documents.

President Tran Dai Quang and his Russian counterpart agreed to continue working closely in building the Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Vietnam, and affirmed their support of the cooperation programme between Vietnam and Russia on the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, which was signed on May 23, 2017 in Hanoi.

Both sides agreed on positive progress of joint projects in oil and gas, affirming that they will continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Russian enterprises, including the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group, Gazprom Group, Zarubezhneft, and Rosneft, to carry out activities in the field in the territories of both countries.

The two sides will foster collaboration in promising areas, including oil refinery and petrochemistry, supplying liquefied petroleum gas for Vietnam, producing and selling fuel for gas-fuelled vehicles in Vietnam.

The two sides agreed to strengthen partnership and expand oil and gas exploration area in Vietnam’s continental shelf in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They also consented to the extension of cooperation in electricity, while sharing the hope for effective affiliation in machinery manufacturing, shipbuilding, aviation, chemicals and light industry, and acknowledging the need to diversify bilateral ties in finance-credit.

The two presidents underscored the importance of cooperation in defence and military technology, as well as coordination of actions in defence-security without harming any third party.

They showed delight at the sustainable increase in the number of Russian tourists to Vietnam, while sharing support of bilateral partnership in tourism.

President Tran Dai Quang and President Putin concurred to increase coordination among authorised agencies in preventing illegal migration, initially within the Vietnam-Russia Working Group in the field.

Following the talks, the two sides signed a number of cooperation documents in prioritised areas as well as partnership deals among economic organisations of both countries.

Regarding regional and international issues, the two Presidents affirmed efforts to build an equal international relations and order, based on multilateral principles in settling urgent issues and the supremacy of international law, including the United Nations Charter, which includes the principles of respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate interests of countries, not using or threatening to use force, and expanding cooperation among nations and linkage mechanisms on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and respect for the goal of consolidating global security, peace, stability, and development.

Vietnam and Russia held that international security is comprehensive and integral, and no nation is allowed to ensure its security by harming other’s security, including the expansion of regional and global political-military alliances.

The two countries resolutely rejected every attempt to revisit the history of the second World War as well as any doubt about the decisive role of the Soviet Union in the victory over fascism and militarism.

The two leaders condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations, stressing that no terrorist act can be justified be they motivated by political, religious, racial or any other reasons.

The unprecedented spreading of terrorism can only be stopped with the joint efforts made by the international community on the basis of widely-accepted principles and stipulations of international law, first of all the UN Charter, and the respect for sovereignty of nations affected by terrorist acts, they added.

The two leaders applauded Russia’s efforts to fight terrorism and seek political solutions to the crisis in Syria on the basis of international law and the UN Charter, as well as its efforts at Astana and Geneva negotiation mechanisms.

Vietnam and Russia agreed to boost collective efforts to build a fair, integral, open, comprehensive and transparent security structure n the Asia-Pacific region on the basis of adherence to international law and the principles of mutual respect, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference into countries’ internal affairs, no use or threat to use force, including maintaining dialogue within the framework of the East Asia Summit and other regional forums with ASEAN playing the central role.

They shared the view that border and territorial disputes and other conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region should be settled by peaceful means without the use of or threat to use force and on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in order to ensure peace, stability and security and in the region.

The two countries back the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea as well as the early formation of a Code of Conduction in the East Sea.

The Presidents also stressed the necessity to further deepen the dialogue partnership between ASEAN and Russia.

They expressed support of international economic connectivity and trade liberalisation in a fair, sustainable and transparent manner and in accordance with the World Trade Organisation’s regulations, while affirming the importance of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Both leaders agreed that the official visit to Russia by the Vietnamese President will create a strong driving force for the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

VNA