Vietnam, Russia Agree to Strengthen Parliamentary Cooperation

National Assembly (NA) Vice President Nguyen Khac Dinh, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, stressed that cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the Russian Federation Council, including activities between their respective groups, has received high appreciation from the leaders of both countries. This agreement is viewed as a component of efforts to deepen the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. Vietnam, as a socialist nation with a one-party system, adheres to a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralism. Historically, Vietnam has maintained robust relations with Russia, characterized by close collaboration across political, economic, and security domains since the Cold War. In recent times, bilateral cooperation has seen progress in areas such as military training and the increased market penetration of Vietnamese goods in Russia. The Vietnamese Foreign Minister has indicated that visits by top leaders to Russia and France have achieved comprehensive and substantive outcomes, implying that the recent parliamentary cooperation agreement is in line with this broader positive development in bilateral relations. Vietnam's economic growth has been significant, with the expansion of its external trade serving as a key national strategy. Entry into the Russian market presents new avenues for Vietnamese products, contributing to economic diversification. Additionally, security cooperation with Russia may bolster Vietnam's national interests and contribute to regional stability.