Although the state-level visit to Vietnam by Russian President Vladimir Putin lasted only one day, on November 12, 2013, it drew special attention from the public because it was the 3rd visit to Vietnam by Russian President Vladimir Putin and it was of great significance in strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. During this visit, the two sides signed 17 important cooperative documents on various aspects.

On the threshold of the visit, President Putin wrote an article entitled “Russia-Vietnam: Together for New Cooperation Goals” featuring the development of relations between the two nations. He wrote: “Russian-Vietnamese friendship has stood the test of time, having lived through the numerous tragic events of the 20th century and drastic changes in the world as well as in our countries. The main thing has always remained the same, however – respect towards each other, traditions of confidence and mutual assistance, the ability to appreciate selfless support of the partners that they will never betray.”

Therefore, during the talks and meetings with the Vietnamese leaders, including State President Truong Tan Sang, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the two sides highly appreciated the upgrade of the bilateral relations to the comprehensive strategic partnership that opens up new practical opportunities to foster mutually beneficial cooperation in many aspects. The two sides expressed their satisfaction at practical cooperation between the two countries that continually expands through traditional fields and cooperation modes and new potentials.

Relating some specific issues, the two countries agreed that the two sides should have breakthrough measures to promote the trade and investment relations and give top priority to human resources to early sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia-Kazakhstan-Belarus. They stressed prioritising cooperation in nuclear power, especially the deployment of a joint-project to the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant No.1.

The two sides affirmed to continue strengthening cooperation in oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Vietnam’s continental shelf in line with international Law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Both sides affirmed to continue cooperation in the fields, such as mineral exploration, transportation, civil aviation, ship building, mechanical manufacturing, information and telecommunications; researching the ability of cooperation and investment in building a light industrial zone in the far-east area of Russia.

They also highly appreciate cooperation in the field of defence and military technique with high trust, suitable to regulations and principles of the international law, making a contribution to ensuring peace, stability and sustainable development in Asia-Pacific.

In terms of international cooperation, the two sides emphasized the importance of the relationship and cooperation between Vietnam and Russia in the Asian-Pacific region, in the framework of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and regional structures, such as ARF, EAS, ASEM, ADMM+ and agreed to strengthen cooperation between Russia-ASEAN, promoting peace, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.

The achievements obtained during this visit expressed the will and determination of the two countries’ leaders to promote the development the comprehensive strategic partnership, increasing the quality of bilateral cooperation and promoting the development and modernization cause in each country. The visit is an important landmark, creating an impetus to promote the relations between the two countries to a high level.

17 cooperation documents between the two countries

1. Agreement between Vietnam and Russia on the transfer of sentenced prisoners.

2. Agreement on defence cooperation between Vietnam and Russia.

3. Agreement between Vietnam and Russia on Vietnamese citizens studying in Russia’s education institutions.

4. Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in science, technology and creative renovation.

5. Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in geology and use of mineral resources between the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology.

6. Cooperation programme on health protection and medicine from 2014-2016 between the Health Ministries of Vietnam and Russia.

7. Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam’s Health Ministry and the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection on protecting consumers’ rights on cooperation in ensuring people’s hygiene and safety against epidemics.

8. Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Bureaus of Accreditation of Vietnam and Russia.

9. Contract on research and transfer of rubber cloth production technology.

10. Memorandum of Understanding on Rosneft Group’s participation in Plot 15-1/05 in Vietnam’s continental shelf.

11. Agreement between the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Rosneft Group on basic terms for cooperation in oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Pechora waters.

12. Agreement on the establishment of a joint venture turning gas into engine fuel in Vietnam.

13. Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation between PetroVietnam and Zarubezneft Group to increase the efficiency of Rusvietpetro Joint Venture.

14. Framework agreement on oil refinery.

15. Credit agreement between the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam and Russia’s International Investment Bank.

16. Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Vietnam-Russia Joint Venture Bank and Uralvagonzanod Group.

17. Agreement between the Hanoi University of Business and Technology and the Moscow Academy of Economics and Law on the establishment of the Vietnam-Russia University of Humanities.

Source: VNP - VNA