Vietnam always bears in mind Russia’s victory over fascism

Following is the gist of the interview:

Reporter: What is your assessment of the historical significance of the Second World War and the role of the Soviet army in smashing the fascist axis?

President Sang: The outstanding victory in the struggle to annihilate fascism belonged to all democratic progressive forces around the world, but without the role of the Red Army and the huge sacrifices of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, mankind hardly escaped from perdition.

The triumph of the allies in the Second World War, in which the Soviet army played a decisive role, saved humanity from the fascism disaster, thus making significant contributions to maintaining world peace.

People throughout the world, including those from Vietnam always remember and are grateful to millions of the Soviet Red Army soldiers and people for their heroic efforts and great sacrifices in the fight against fascism and never forget the losses of the Soviet people during the fierce war years.

The victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War paved the way for national liberation of oppressed nations across the world, encouraging people of other countries, including Vietnam to rise in revolt against the oppression of colonialism, fascism and militarism to regain national independence and freedom.

Under the clear-sighted leadership of President Ho Chi Minh with the wholehearted solidarity, and the encouragement of the victory of progressive forces in the world, the people of Vietnam staged a general uprising to seize power, making a successful August Revolution that gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Reporter: In recent times, the US has actively developed its relations with Vietnam. In this context, there have been some opinions saying that the Vietnam – Russia relations will decline. Could you please tell about how will the strengthening of relations between Hanoi and Washington impact on Russia- Vietnam ties?

President Sang: Vietnam's foreign policy of "independence, self-reliance, peace and development" with the motto "being a friend and reliable partner of all countries" has achieved positive results acknowledged by the international community.

Vietnam has so far set up diplomatic relations with 185 countries and economic and trade links with more than 220 countries and territories across the globe. It is a pro-active member of more than 70 international organizations, contributing responsibly to operations of numerous organizations and multilateral forums.

In the process of implementing its foreign policy, Vietnam has always advocated the principle of win-win cooperation for mutual benefit without developing relations with one country to prejudice relations with another.

Russia and the US are the two powers and two partners of special importance for Vietnam. We are sparing no efforts to constantly promote the comprehensive strategic partnership with the two nations aiming to serve the socio - economic development and help ensure peace stability and cooperation in the region and the world.

Over recent years, the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership has advanced across a variety of fields- politics, security- defence, economics, education- training, culture and tourism. With the tremendous cooperation achievements, I believe that the comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to grow and flourish in the time to come.

Reporter: Although Russia and Vietnam have maintained close political relations, trade exchange between the two countries remains limited, several times lower than trade volume between Vietnam and the US. What is the cause of the problem and in what measures should be taken to significantly increase trade turnover to US$10 billion over the next five years?

President Sang: The relationship between Vietnam and the Russian Federation has experienced strong growth across all sectors. In terms of economics and trade, Russia has always been Vietnam’s traditional trading partner of premier importance.

For over a decade, bilateral trade turnover increased almost seven-fold from US$400 million to US$ 2.76 billion.

Both countries are striving to lift the figure to US$10 billion by 2020. However, this figure is still relatively modest and far below their full potential. The two countries still have many opportunities for enhancing trade cooperation in line with their sound political relations and mutual trust not being inferior to economic and trade ties between Vietnam and other countries.

To do this, the two countries should promptly carry out following steps: First, soon sign the free trade agreement (FTA) between the Eurasia Economic Union and Vietnam in 2015 so as to provide leverage for boosting bilateral trade. Second, create the best possible conditions for key Vietnamese and Russian products to have easier access to each other's market.

Third, support the establishment of business centres to showcase and promote products of Vietnam and Russia to consumers in the two nations. Fourth, offer opportunities for businesses to solidify connectivity, cooperation and investment.

Reporter: How do the East Sea disputes affect Vietnam- China relations? Vietnam intends to ask Russia that has good relations with both Hanoi and Beijing, to play an intermediary role in settling the disputes, doesn’t it?

President Sang: The Russian Federation is a comprehensive strategic partner of Vietnam and bilateral relations have grown steadily over the past time evidenced by highly trusted political relations, effective economic cooperation and reinforced defence and security cooperation.

Both sides have shared common views on important international issues, including the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

On the East Sea issue, Vietnam has underscored the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, resolving maritime disputes through peaceful measures on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), exercising restraint to avoid actions that could increase regional tension, including the imposition or use of force to unilaterally change the status quo, and urgently building  a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). Many countries, including Russia understand this stance of Vietnam.

We want Russia to maintain and expand cooperation with Vietnam in all areas, especially in oil and gas cooperation projects in the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam as positive contributions to peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

Reporter: Thank you very much.