Vietnam and Russia have signed an agreement to build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant, marking a historic milestone and laying the foundation for a new symbol of bilateral relations in the years ahead.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-level Vietnamese delegation returned to Hanoi this morning, successfully concluding an official visit to Russia from March 22 to 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
This was the first visit to Russia by a key Vietnamese leader following the success of the 14th National Party Congress and the elections of the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels.
Over the course of 72 hours, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh maintained an intensive schedule with nearly 30 engagements, including meetings and exchanges with Russia’s top leadership: President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matvienko, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, and Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Russian leaders. Photo: Nhat Bac, Kremlin
The Prime Minister also visited and worked with leading Russian institutions in economic development, scientific research and education; attended the Vietnam - Russia business forum; and met with major Russian enterprises.
In addition, he met and expressed appreciation to longstanding friends from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Veterans Association, the Russia - Vietnam Friendship Association, as well as nearly 300 Vietnamese expatriates and students living in Russia.
Speaking after the visit, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said that through high-level talks and meetings, both sides reached strong consensus on the need to further deepen political trust and mutual understanding, building on the long-standing traditional friendship between the two nations and their peoples.
Senior Russian leaders, representatives of political parties in the State Duma, and major corporations all reaffirmed their support for advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam.
The two sides signed a series of agreements aligned with Vietnam’s development needs and goals in a new era. These include cooperation in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, expanded oil and gas exploration in each other’s territories, transport connectivity, and collaboration in metro development - an area where Russia has strong technical expertise and experience.
Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that the agreement to build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant is a historic event. It is expected to become a new symbol of Vietnam - Russia relations, similar to earlier “monuments of friendship” such as the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant and Thang Long Bridge.
Through engagements with educational and research institutions, the two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in basic research and high-quality human resource training, particularly in digital technology, emerging technologies, biomedicine, transport, fundamental sciences and academic arts.
This direction builds on a long history of educational cooperation, as the former Soviet Union and today’s Russian Federation have helped train generations of Vietnamese leaders, experts, artists and scholars across multiple fields.
Accelerating the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear project
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin witness the signing ceremony of an agreement on cooperation in building a nuclear power plant in Vietnam. Photo: Nhat Bac
With the goal of achieving rapid, strong and sustainable development - driven by science, technology and innovation - Russia will continue to be a trusted partner accompanying Vietnam in a new era.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Russian leaders also showed strong interest in expanding cultural exchanges, including regular cultural days and artistic performances in each country, to bring the two peoples - especially younger generations - closer together. Both sides agreed to create favorable conditions for tourism exchanges.
According to the Deputy Minister, the visit was highly successful, delivering substantive outcomes with a long-term strategic vision. It met all objectives and reflected a shared understanding of the need to reposition and elevate the Vietnam - Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.
With the spirit of “turning political will into action and decisions into concrete results,” as directed by General Secretary To Lam, and the Prime Minister’s emphasis on clear responsibilities and outcomes, ministries, sectors and localities from both sides are expected to actively implement the agreements reached, developing concrete roadmaps and plans.
Both countries should promptly move forward with cooperation in energy security, transportation, logistics and science and technology.
The Deputy Minister stressed the need to quickly begin implementation of the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power project; expand oil and gas operations through joint ventures such as Vietsovpetro and Rusvietpetro; and enhance rail, air and maritime connectivity.
The two sides should also intensify cooperation in education, training, science and technology, particularly in developing high-quality human resources and advancing basic research.
She also highlighted the importance of promoting language teaching in both countries and organizing regular, diverse cultural, sports and artistic exchanges - not only to boost tourism but also to educate people, especially younger generations, about the special friendship between Vietnam and Russia.
Vietnamnet.vn
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