Vietnamese PM Holds Talks with Putin on Sidelines of Expanded BRICS Summit
Kazan, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the expanded BRICS Summit in Kazan. The two leaders discussed the strong ties between Vietnam and Russia, reflecting on the long-standing comprehensive strategic partnership that has continually developed over the years.
President Putin expressed his deep appreciation for the warm reception he received during his state visit to Vietnam in June 2024, highlighting the strength and loyalty of the relationship between the two nations. He also extended greetings to Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and other senior Vietnamese leaders, offering his congratulations to Lương Cường on his recent election as State President of Vietnam.
During the talks, President Putin commended the decisive leadership of PM Chính and the Vietnamese government in implementing bilateral agreements and resolving obstacles in cooperation. He also praised the success of the 25th meeting of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee for Economic-Trade and Scientific-Technological Cooperation, urging continued efforts to carry out the agreed-upon plans.
Prime Minister Chính reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, emphasizing that both countries should continue deepening cooperation in all fields. He congratulated Russia on its socio-economic achievements under President Putin’s leadership, particularly in overcoming challenges and maintaining stability.
The leaders expressed satisfaction with the growth of Vietnam-Russia relations, noting that high-level exchanges and trade have increased significantly. However, they acknowledged that more work was needed to fully achieve the set goals, particularly in areas such as economy, trade, investment, and tourism. They also discussed expanding cooperation in renewable energy and infrastructure.
Energy and oil-gas cooperation, a key pillar of Vietnam-Russia relations, featured prominently in their discussions. Both sides agreed to encourage the expansion of activities by Vietnamese and Russian enterprises in this sector. They also underscored the importance of pursuing energy projects that align with current trends in green growth and sustainable development.
Prime Minister Chính conveyed the willingness of Vietnam to create favorable conditions for Russian enterprises to invest in the Vietnamese market. In return, President Putin announced that Russia would maintain 1,000 scholarships for Vietnamese students, further fostering educational cooperation.
The two leaders also explored opportunities for greater collaboration in science and technology, education, training, tourism, and transportation. In anticipation of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, both sides agreed to prepare joint activities to celebrate this significant milestone.
The meeting concluded with the signing of several cooperation documents between Vietnamese and Russian agencies and enterprises, marking a successful step forward in their bilateral relations.
Following the conclusion of the expanded BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and his delegation departed Kazan for Hanoi, wrapping up a productive working visit to Russia.
