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| Le Hoai Trung, member of the Politburo and Minister of Foreign Affairs. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
Mr. Minister, could you share with us your assessment of the excellent results obtained during the Conference? What specific contributions did the Vietnamese delegation make to the success of this ASEAN-Russia Summit?
At the invitation of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a high-level Vietnamese delegation attended the summit commemorating the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations, held on June 17-18 in Kazan, Russian Federation.
This is a very important trip, as it is the first trip to Russia by a prominent Vietnamese leader after the successful conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the sessions of the National Assembly and the elections of the people’s councils at all levels, thereby consolidating key leadership positions.
The Prime Minister’s participation in the Summit commemorating the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations was a great success, contributing to strengthening relations between ASEAN and Russia, Vietnam’s comprehensive strategic partner, and thus demonstrating Vietnam’s active support for Russia and ASEAN-Russia relations.
This visit also testifies to Vietnam’s positive contribution to strengthening ASEAN’s position and central role in the region, while promoting high-level bilateral exchanges. It conveys a strong message from Vietnam regarding the implementation of an independent, autonomous foreign policy focused on strengthening its capacities, multilateralism, the diversification of its external relations, the development of its relations with its neighbors and its main partners, as well as its positive contribution to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.
It can be said that the ASEAN-Russia 35th Anniversary Summit was a great success, with many very positive and comprehensive results.
First, the Conference reaffirmed the position, vitality and strategic importance of ASEAN-Russia relations in a complex and volatile international and regional context. The direct participation of most ASEAN leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin, eight years after the elevation of ASEAN-Russia relations to the rank of strategic partnership in 2018, as well as the firm commitments made during the Conference, testify to the importance that both parties attach to this relationship, considering it as an essential vector of dialogue and cooperation, strengthening strategic confidence and contributing to peace, stability and development in the two regions.
Secondly, the Conference established a framework and strategic direction for ASEAN-Russia relations in this new phase, notably establishing a qualitative evolution of bilateral cooperation. The Kazan Joint Declaration 2026 defined the strategic framework and main principles of this cooperation, while the ASEAN-Russia Action Plan 2026-2030 concretizes these orientations through priority areas, solutions and implementation mechanisms.
It is worth noting that the Joint Declaration on Energy Cooperation has made energy a new pillar of cooperation, meeting both the urgent need for current energy security and the long-term cooperation needs of the two sides.
Third, it was the first separate meeting between ASEAN and Russian leaders on Eurasian integration, where they shared a common vision of a broader and longer-term cooperation space. Based on an assessment of the potential and complementarity between ASEAN and the Eurasian space, particularly in terms of markets, energy, logistics, mineral resources, science and technology, countries have formulated numerous proposals aimed at optimizing the use of frameworks such as ASEAN-EAEU cooperation, ASEAN-OCS cooperation, cooperation with Central Asia and Eurasian transport corridors.
Thanks to the significant results obtained during this summit, it can be affirmed that ASEAN-Russia cooperation is clearly moving towards a more concrete and targeted direction, equipped with clearer implementation mechanisms, thus contributing to strengthening the position of ASEAN and Russia, while promoting peace, stability and cooperation in the region and in the world.
As an active and responsible member of ASEAN and Russia’s reliable and leading comprehensive strategic partner in the region, the high-level Vietnamese delegation, led by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, made many important contributions to the Conference outcomes and left a remarkable mark.
First, we must proactively and actively contribute to the creation of a more stable, balanced and sustainable strategic environment. During his intervention at the Conference, Prime Minister Lê Minh HÆ°ng shared Vietnam’s relevant and objective analysis of the regional and international situation, as well as the issues that ASEAN and Russia must address jointly.
The Prime Minister’s message about a Vietnam that always prioritizes dialogue, cooperation, trust-building, peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for international law, and that these fundamental principles and values should become a common way of behaving among nations, was highly appreciated by the leaders of other countries.
Second, we have contributed significantly to repositioning ASEAN-Russia relations to be more strategic, self-sustaining, concrete and better aligned with the interests of both parties. Vietnam’s proposals to promote ASEAN-Russia relations that contribute more effectively to maintaining a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment conducive to development in the two regions also received full support from countries participating in the Conference.
In particular, the initiative to promote ASEAN-Russia cooperation in the field of energy has contributed to raising the level of relations and giving a strategic and long-term dimension to bilateral cooperation.
Additionally, measures to strengthen Eurasian ties help increase value and align practical interests between ASEAN and Russia.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister also announced that Vietnam will host the ASEAN-Russia Young Diplomats Summit in 2027, demonstrating keen interest in the next generation and helping to build trust and consolidate ties between the two regions.
Third, we are proud to have helped turn the potential for cooperation into concrete benefits for people and businesses on both sides. Drawing on the needs, potential and strengths of ASEAN-Russia cooperation, the Prime Minister proposed many specific and practical measures, including new directions such as the establishment of an ASEAN-EUEA business dialogue and online platforms connecting businesses from both sides, the development of a multi-modal inter-regional transport corridor and of a digital logistics map, as well as the facilitation of commercial exchanges.
The proposals for adaptive agricultural supply chain cooperation, establishing priority mechanisms for the provision of fertilizers, feed ingredients and agricultural technologies, also aim to support ASEAN and Vietnam’s agricultural sectors in increasing their resilience and achieving more stable development.
Through this conference, we can confidently say that we are ready to play a mediating role, helping to promote trade and investment cooperation between ASEAN and the Russian Federation in the coming months, thereby transforming potential into concrete projects, connectivity into business opportunities and confidence in a new engine of growth, thus helping to promote the comprehensive and substantial development of bilateral relations.
In addition to attending the conference, this trip also included a meeting between the Prime Minister and President Putin – the first since he took office. Mr. Minister, what important results and significance did this meeting bring to Vietnam-Russia relations?
Although it was a working trip to attend a multilateral conference, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and the high-level Vietnamese delegation devoted considerable time to bilateral activities, exchanging views with the Russian side on directions and measures specific measures to implement the high-level agreements.
The heads of ministries and agencies also met with their Russian counterparts to exchange views and implement bilateral commitments. Russia extended a warm welcome to the Prime Minister and the high-level Vietnamese delegation. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at length met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, thus demonstrating the special esteem that Russia has for Vietnam and ASEAN and strengthening mutual understanding.
The fruitful talks with President Putin during this visit are part of a continuation of sustained diplomatic activity aimed at strengthening political relations and boosting Russian-Vietnamese relations in this new era. They also constitute a step in the implementation of the high-level agreements reached after the historic official visit of Secretary General To Lam to the Russian Federation (May 2025) and the telephone conversation between the latter and President Putin immediately after the successful conclusion of the XIV National Party Congress (January 2026) The visit to Russia made it possible to obtain particularly important results, which can be highlighted on several key points:
First, both sides reaffirmed the particular importance of consolidating political trust at the highest level and expressed their determination to reposition and strengthen the overall Vietnam-Russia relationship to meet the modernization needs of each country in this new historical era. Six main directions for the development of Vietnam-Russia relations in this new phase were affirmed by both parties: (i) basing relations on political trust; (ii) consider cooperation in defense and security matters as a strategic pillar; (iii) identify cooperation in the fields of energy, oil and gas, and nuclear as a major strategic axis; (iv) maximize the potential for strengthening economic, commercial and investment cooperation; (v) promote effective cooperation in the mining, naval, railway modernization and interconnection of transport routes sectors; (vi) consolidate cooperation in the fields of science, technology, education and training.
Second, the two leaders agreed that Vietnam-Russia relations are on the right track and have yielded remarkable results. Political cooperation is extremely dynamic, with exchanges of delegations at all levels and regular channels making it possible to define the main orientations to strengthen relations in all areas.
In just the first five months of 2026, many Vietnamese government delegations visited Russia, and several senior Russian officials are expected to visit Vietnam in the second half of 2026. Defense and security cooperation continues to be strengthened and vigorously implemented. Economic cooperation between the two countries is encouraged, and trade shows positive growth.
Energy cooperation is a strong point, with the signing of the agreement on the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant, a historic project which symbolizes a new chapter in Vietnam-Russia relations and lays the foundation for the development of Vietnam’s nuclear industry.
The two sides also reached important agreements in the field of oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Vietnam and the Russian Federation, and are actively negotiating the possibility of expanding their cooperation to new areas such as clean energy, renewable energy, oil and gas trading, LNG and the construction of energy storage infrastructure in Vietnam.
Cooperation in the fields of science and technology, education and training, transport, culture and tourism has yielded encouraging results. The two sides are working to create a network of digital research and development centers and implement joint scientific research projects.
Thirdly, the two sides pledged to actively and effectively implement existing mechanisms and agreements in the fields of politics, defense and security, energy (oil and gas), nuclear and others. Prime Minister Lé Minh Hung and the President Putin both stressed the importance of considering this as an essential foundation to guide and supervise the overall implementation of bilateral cooperation activities and projects, and to quickly remove obstacles to ensure concrete and effective development of the relationship.
It is worth noting that, under the decisive leadership of Secretary-General and President To Lam, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and other senior Vietnamese leaders, many obstacles and bottlenecks in relations have been resolved and overcome, thus creating favorable conditions for continuation of cooperation projects between the two parties, particularly in key areas, and paving the way for long-term cooperation between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.
Bilateral activities with Russia on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary ASEAN-Russia Summit, including talks with President Putin, confirmed the determination of high-level leaders of the two countries to position and elevate the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, by deepening bilateral relations and cooperation.
In the coming months, the government will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the agreements reached and provide specific guidance on this subject. It is essential that ministries, sectors and local authorities fully imbue themselves with the spirit and common desire to constantly innovate in cooperation with Russia, to develop action plans and take concrete measures to optimize the potential for cooperation between the two countries in all areas. This will contribute to the modernization and development of each country, will better respond to the needs and aspirations of the populations of the two countries and will promote peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region. and in the world.
It can be said that Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s participation in the Summit commemorating the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia and bilateral activities with Russia were a great success. This trip achieved very positive results, resolved many problems and steered relations in the right direction, achieved remarkable results and promoted the effective implementation of mechanisms and agreements, especially in the areas of trade, energy, education and training.
We can have full confidence that with consensus and close coordination between ministries, departments and local governments, the common understanding between the senior leaders of the two countries will come to fruition and be effectively implemented, thereby deepening and strengthening the relationship, and bringing concrete benefits to the people and businesses of the two countries.
Source : https://baoquocte.vn/hoi-nghi-cap-cao-ky-niem-35-nam-quan-he-asean-nga-thanh-cong-tot-dep-voi-nhieu-ket-qua-tich-cuc-va-toan-dien-408393.html
