Vietnam Urges Deeper, Practical ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership

At the ASEAN-Russia Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-59) and related meetings in the Philippines, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son strongly called for deeper and more practical cooperation in the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership. Son described the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit marking 35 years of dialogue relations, held in Kazan, Russia, in June, as an important milestone that reaffirmed the strategic value of ASEAN-Russia relations and injected fresh momentum into bilateral cooperation. He emphasized the need to expand the scope of cooperation to address common challenges faced by ASEAN and Russia and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the international community. Specifically, he proposed further strengthening cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, investment, science and technology, culture, and education. He also suggested deepening coordination on global issues like counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of synergy between ASEAN and Russia in maintaining an ASEAN-centric regional architecture and promoting multilateralism based on international law. As a member of ASEAN, Vietnam is committed to maintaining and developing constructive and practical relations with Russia. This proposal reflects Vietnam's diplomatic role in the region. Under its one-party system, Vietnam continues to pursue economic growth while developing a foreign policy that maximizes its national interests by balancing with the international community. Particularly, amidst complex relations with China, strengthening ties with diverse partners, including Russia, is crucial for broadening Vietnam's diplomatic options. Source: VietnamPlus English