Vietnam, Russia adopt major orientations to chart course for bilateral ties

Vietnam and Russia have adopted a Joint Statement on major orientations to chart course for bilateral relations on the occasion of Party General Secretary To Lam's official visit to Russia from May 8-11.

Accordingly, the two countries underlined the need to continue regular and substantive political dialogue at the highest level to timely inform each other about the process of implementing high-level agreements reached by the two countries' senior leaders.

Both sides agreed to regularly improve the effectiveness of the existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially the Intergovernmental committee for economic-trade and scientific-technological cooperation, defense strategic dialogue, strategic dialogue, while promoting business contacts, establishing new dialogue mechanisms, and timely addressing barriers in bilateral cooperation.

Both sides expressed their wish to expand relations between political parties, between leaders of legislative bodies, between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the State Duma; and continue coordination at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums.

The two sides affirmed that defense-security cooperation will remain a key pillar of the overall Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Both sides emphasized the need to boost defense-security cooperation with high level of trust and effectiveness in accordance with the requirements of the current context. The two sides affirmed cooperation in this domain does not aim at any third country and shall be carried out in accordance with the principles and regulations of international law, contributing to ensuring peace and sustainable development in Asia-Pacific and the word.

Both sides affirmed their determination to establish conditions conducive to advancing cooperation in ensuring biosafety, including the establishment of a specialized legal basis.

Both sides affirmed their desire to perfect bilateral legal foundation in the field of judicial assistance related to criminal offenses using information and communication technology.

Both sides underlined the need to make the most of potentials and opportunities to promote economic-trade cooperation in line with international law and legislation of the two countries.

The two sides voiced support for negotiations between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam to increase exports and remove technical barriers in bilateral trade.

They underlined the need to expand and diversify investments, create favorable conditions for their businesses to promote direct cooperation and implement projects in mineral exploitation and processing, industry, agriculture, energy, science and technology, digital transformation, and information technology.

Both sides agreed to intensify cooperation in the energy and oil and gas industry and to ensure energy safety through improving the effectiveness of existing energy projects and promoting new projects in accordance with laws and strategic interests of each country, including Russia's supply and processing of crude oil and liquefied natural gas for Vietnam.

The leaders of the two countries voiced support for the creation of favorable conditions for the expansion of operations of Vietnamese oil and gas enterprises in Russia and Russian oil and gas enterprises on the continental shelf of Vietnam, in accordance with the laws of Vietnam, Russia and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Both sides affirmed the importance of accelerating the project to build a Nuclear Science and Technology Center in Vietnam as well as training Vietnamese students at education institutions in Russia in the fields related to the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

Both sides agreed to boost cooperation in renewable and clean energy development. They agreed to expedite negotiations and signing of intergovernmental agreements on construction of nuclear power plants in Vietnam, using advanced technology and strictly complying with regulations on nuclear and radiation safety regulations.

Both countries agreed to cement cooperation in mining industry, transport, shipbuilding and machinery manufacturing, railway modernization, expansion of transport corridors between the two countries to promote trade and investment.

They affirmed their determination to consolidate cooperation in science and technology, education and training, and high-quality human resource development in favor of their development.

The two sides voiced support for the formation of a fair and sustainable multipolar world order, on the basis of countries fully and inseparably complying with widely recognized rules and principles to expand opportunities for countries and organizations to develop freely and successfully, and to implement international cooperation that is mutually beneficial, fair and respectful.

The two sides agreed to affirm that every country has the right to self-determine its development model, political, economic and social institutions in accordance with its national conditions and the aspirations of its people. They agreed not to support the imposition of unilateral sanctions that are inconsistent with international law and not approved by the United Nations Security Council.

The two sides voiced support for efforts to build a security architecture on the Eurasian continent based on the principles of equality and indivisibility in order to ensure peace, stability and development of all countries on the continent. To achieve this goal, they call for strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation through dialogue and coordinated actions.

Both sides agreed to continue to consolidate cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, including at the United Nations General Assembly, not to support the politicization of the activities of specialized agencies of the United Nations and other international organizations.

The two sides showed their readiness to promote joint efforts of the international community to respond to traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including terrorism, transnational crimes, armed conflicts, illegal drug production and trafficking, territorial disputes, climate change, natural disasters, and epidemics.

The two sides agreed to coordinate to ensure security, safety, freedom of navigation, aviation and trade; voiced support for resolution of disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

The Russian sides supports the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and welcomes efforts to contribute to creating a favorable environment for the negotiation process of an effective, substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Russia also supports ASEAN's central role in the regional architecture in the Asia-Pacific region, upholds the values and principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia dated February 24, 1976.

Vietnam and Russia will actively participate, build and coordinate actions in ASEAN-centered cooperation mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus, and continue to support initiatives put forward by countries within the framework of these mechanisms.

Both sides agreed to strengthen and deepen the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership, promote comprehensive, substantive and mutually beneficial cooperation, including in areas where both sides have strengths and potential such as information and communication technology, antiterrorism and transnational crime combat, science and technology, education, training, human resource development among others.