Viacheslav Volodin suggested creating an interparliamentary high commission with Vietnam

Opening the meeting, Viacheslav Volodin Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast) reminded that Nguyễn Phú Trọng had previously been to the State Duma. In 2009, when Nguyễn Phú Trọng was the Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, he already visited it.

Viacheslav Volodin expressed confidence that that meeting “will activate our relations, including within the framework of the parliamentary dimension, and will unequivocally give them impetus”.

He also stressed that in a result of the meeting of the Russian President and Nguyễn Phú Trọng, which took place the day before, a large number of agreements were signed and a decision to deepen relations between the two countries was taken.

“In this regard, we see our main task to legislatively support the decisions you made at the highest level,” said the Chairman of the State Duma.

During the meeting, Viacheslav Volodin suggested creating an interparliamentary high commission with Vietnam.

”When there are concrete results, it is necessary to build work more systematically and discuss those topics that are extremely important for the development of our relations,” he said. ”We make such decisions if relations within the framework of the parliamentary dimension are dynamically developing and there are topics that constantly require not only monitoring but also discussion within such format”.

In addition, he noted the growth of trade turnover between the two countries over the past year. In the opinion of the Chairman of the State Duma, an increase in this sphere “indicates that relations are built on the principles of mutual respect and trust”. “The increased percent of turnover compared with the past year, the year before that, characterize the level of business relations,” he added.

Viacheslav Volodin also noted the growth of the tourist flow of Russian citizens to Vietnam.

“The number of Russian tourists coming to Vietnam increased by 30% and amounted to about half a million,” he said. “This is a very important indicator, and, of course, we need to do everything to ensure that interaction within the parliamentary framework further develops [bilateral] relations, supporting [it] by necessary decisions”.

The Chairman of the State Duma emphasized that for Russia “Vietnam is a very close neighbor” and noted that the relations between the two countries are built on mutual respect.

“Therefore, we value that we have such relations. We believe that they need to be developed, and we will do our best to assist,” he concluded.

In his turn, the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyễn Phú Trọng, noted that “in recent years, despite many challenges and difficulties, the Russian Federation has managed to maintain political and social stability, restore the economy, and strengthen Russia's role in solving international problems”.

“Thanks to the course of Vladimir Putin the Russian Federation will be able to strengthen its role as a great power,” Nguyễn Phú Trọng stressed.

Nguyễn Phú Trọng gave a high appraisal of the 137th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which was held in St. Petersburg in 2017. The heads of more than 100 parliaments, including Vietnam, attended it.

In addition, Nguyễn Phú Trọng noted the successful organization of the last FIFA World Cup and congratulated “with the impressive performance of the Russian team”.

“Vietnam has always supported and will always participate in all international events that take place in Russia. We are committed to strengthening connections with the Russian Federation and intensification of cooperation in all areas,” concluded the General Secretary.

Nguyễn Phú Trọng made a number of proposals aimed at further enhancing of cooperation between the two parliaments.

“I think it is necessary to continue the practice of exchanging delegations at a high level, as well as delegations between relevant committees, friendship groups, in order to promote mutual understanding between the two parliaments,” he said.

Moreover, in his opinion, “it is necessary to strengthen control over the implementation of those agreements and treaties that have been signed, creating a solid legal basis for further cooperation between our countries”.

Nguyễn Phú Trọng conveyed the invitation of the Chairwoman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Vietnam, Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân, to Viacheslav Volodin to visit the country.

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Ivan Melnikov Melnikov
Ivan Ivanovich and the Chairmen of the profile committees, namely Leonid Slutskiy Slutsky
Leonid Eduardovich , Committee on International Affairs, Sergei Zhigarev Zhigarev
Sergei Aleksandroviсh , Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, Innovative Development and Entrepreneurship, Viacheslav Nikonov Nikonov
Vyacheslav Alexeyevich , Committee on Education and Science, Leonid Kalashnikov Kalashnikov
Leonid Ivanovich , Committee on Issues of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Contacts with Fellow Countryman, Pavel Zavalnyi Zavalny
Pavel Nikolaevich , Committee on Energy, participated in this meeting.