“It is extremely
important for us that relations between the peoples of the Russian Federation
and Vietnam are developing, and our parliaments are doing everything to enhance
cooperation, and our friendship is honest and open,” stressed Viacheslav
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)
, opening the meeting.
He recalled that the first meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission of Russia and Vietnam will be held later today. “This is another step towards each other, this is a new form of building relations that will allow us to develop them more effectively within the parliamentary dimension,” said the Chairman of the State Duma.
According to him, the parliaments of the countries during the meeting of the Commission plan to discuss specific issues. Viacheslav Volodin urged to look critically at the trade and investment relations of the two countries in order to reach solutions that will improve them within the framework of the work of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission.
“Using the new format of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission, we should examine, among other things, issues related to increasing mutual trade, implementing key projects and increasing investments on a reciprocal basis,” said Viacheslav Volodin.
The Chairman of the State Duma emphasized that the development of relations between the Russian Federation and Vietnam is extremely important for Russia, including the trade turnover. According to him, this year there is a slowdown in trade compared to last year.
“Trade in 2018 reached $ 6.1 billion, this year the amount is expected to be less, the task is to reach 10 billion. This is quite real,” he said. This goal was set by the leaders of two states, the Chairman of the State Duma recalled.
The basis and the dynamic development of relations between countries will help to reach a more substantial growth of trade between countries, as noted Viacheslav Volodin.
In turn, the Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân assured that Vietnam attaches particular importance to the development of relations and strategic partnership with Russia.
“We will also enhance cooperation through various channels, both intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary, as well as ties between our parties and regions, thus strengthening special relations between our countries,” she said.
“We always consider inter-parliamentary cooperation with Russia as an important component of the strategic partnership between our states,” added Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân.
According to her, Russia and Vietnam have recently very successfully held high-level visits, and also regularly meet on the sidelines of major international events, besides meetings at the level of heads of parliaments.
“Our countries and parliaments have similar positions on international issues, and we also support each other in the international arena, especially at the UN,” she said.
Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân thanked Russia for supporting Vietnam’s candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020–2021.
She noted that Vietnam also faces the US sanctions.
“The situation in the world continues to develop unpredictably,” said the Charwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, adding that Russia advocates compliance with international law.
Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân also identified areas where our countries need to enhance cooperation.
She also told about the successful development of economic cooperation. According to her, the trade turnover between the countries has grown significantly last year by 30%, but in general the amount is quite low.
Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân noted the increase in tourist flow. More and more Russian tourists come to Vietnam every year, last year more than 600 thousand Russian citizens visited the country.
In addition, Vietnam intends to continue cooperation with Russia on the implementation of electricity production projects, as well as on the project of the Center for Nuclear Science and Technology in Vietnam and to enhance cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
She expressed hope that parliamentarians within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission will closely monitor the implementation of joint projects between countries and recommend measures to address emerging issues.
“We are very grateful to Russia for increasing the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students and expanding its training profiles for Vietnamese students,” the Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam emphasized.
In conclusion, she stressed that there is a large reserve for further increase in cooperation between the Russian Federation and Vietnam.
