Vietnam-Russia Relations Poised for Enhancement Amidst Shared Peace and Development Aspirations

Mr. Georgy Toloraya, a prominent Russian expert from the Center for Strategic and World Policy Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, stated that the Russian Federation and Vietnam have good potential to elevate their relations. This comes ahead of the state visit to the Russian Federation by General Secretary and President Tô Lâm. Mr. Toloraya noted that based on its historical experience, Vietnam views peace not as an abstract political concept but as a necessary condition for development. Over the past decades, Vietnam has transformed impressively from a nation bearing the heavy losses of war into one of the most dynamic developing countries. While pursuing economic modernization and development, Vietnam maintains its national identity and adheres to an independent and self-reliant foreign policy. He believes that under the leadership of General Secretary and President Tô Lâm, Vietnam's foreign policy is moving towards a more proactive, substantive, and flexible direction, harmonizing national interests with contributions to regional and global peace and stability. Economic diplomacy, in particular, plays a crucial role in serving the country's development goals. Mr. Toloraya emphasized that Vietnam's peace policy is proactive, where protecting national interests goes hand in hand with promoting the resolution of disagreements through dialogue and negotiation rather than the use of force. This approach aligns with Vietnam's foreign policy of building an equal, indivisible, and non-discriminatory regional security structure. During General Secretary and President Tô Lâm's upcoming visit to Russia, he will be awarded the Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize. Mr. Toloraya stated that this award recognizes not only the role of a specific leader but also the broader development path Vietnam is choosing, aiming for peace, development, dialogue, and responsible participation in shaping the regional order. The comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has entered a new phase, with breakthroughs achieved in various fields, including energy, cultural and educational cooperation, university exchanges, scientific and expert contacts, youth exchanges, and joint projects in literature and art. Source: Nhan Dan