This is the first official visit of Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin to Vietnam since the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to strengthen cooperation between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, contributing to consolidating political trust and promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
The visit demonstrates the Russian Federation's respect for Vietnam and is an important highlight in the comprehensive strategic partnership, in the context of the two countries implementing the Joint Statement on the Vision of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by 2030.
This is also a step to continue implementing the Cooperation Agreement between the two legislative bodies, through the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee mechanism, between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. The comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia has developed, becoming a valuable common asset and the pride of both peoples. On January 30, 1950, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations. During more than seven decades of companionship and attachment, generations of leaders and people of the two countries have always strived to nurture bilateral relations, with visits and high-level meetings at all levels, taking place regularly and continuously.
In 2001, Vietnam and Russia signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership, creating an important milestone on the path of developing bilateral relations. Relations between the two countries were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012.
The political relationship between the two countries is highly trustworthy and is constantly being strengthened and developed through delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially at high levels, and across all channels. In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, high-level exchanges are still maintained regularly through phone calls and online conferences, between key leaders of the two countries.
Regular exchanges and communications between the leaders of the two countries have added motivation for Vietnam and Russia to take steady steps on the path of cooperation.
Vietnam always attaches great importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, wishes to further enhance the bilateral cooperation more deeply and effectively in all fields, and determines that relations with Russia are of strategic importance. The two countries share the same views on many international and regional issues and coordinate and support each other at international forums. The scope for cooperation between the two countries is still very large, especially in the context that Russia is promoting its "pivot to the East" policy, in which Vietnam is considered a priority partner.
Over the past time, cooperation between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation has been continuously consolidated and developed. The two sides regularly exchange delegations at all levels. The Vietnamese National Assembly has signed a cooperation agreement with the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation since April 2009 (re-signed in March 2013), and with the Russian Federation Council since November 2012. In 2018, the two sides signed an Agreement on the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. This is the highest, first and only model of parliamentary cooperation to date, between the Vietnamese National Assembly and a foreign legislative body.
The National Assembly of Vietnam and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation maintain a regular exchange of delegations at high levels, at the Committee level, and at the Friendship Parliamentarians' Group, creating a strong driving force for the development of parliamentary relations, thereby contributing to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. The two sides have similar views on international issues and they actively and regularly coordinate, consult and exchange opinions at multilateral inter-parliamentary forums.
During difficult times, when the COVID-19 pandemic raged, the close bond between Vietnam and Russia was strengthened, proving the good traditional friendship between the two sides. The Government, National Assembly, ministries and branches of Vietnam have donated medical masks and some medical supplies to Russia. The Russian side donated the Sputnik V vaccine, treatment drugs, and medical supplies. Cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism, education, science and technology, are also bright spots and a bridge of friendship for the people of the two countries. Russia continues to support Vietnam in training human resources. The two sides organise Cultural Day events annually and alternately in Vietnam and Russia.
Welcoming the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on an official visit to Vietnam and co-chairing the second session of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, demonstrates the respect of the Party and State of Vietnam for the traditional friendly relations with Russia, good cooperation with the State Duma in particular and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation in general. The visit affirmed that parliamentary cooperation is an important pillar in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.
