Deputy FM Dang Hoang Giang highlights significance of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's attendance at ASEAN-Russia Summit
WVR - Ahead of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's trip to attend the ASEAN-Russia 35th Anniversary Summit (June 16-18), Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang shared with the press the key focuses and significance of the Summit as well as Vietnam's participation.
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| The ASEAN-Russia dialogue partnership was established in 1991 and upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2018. (Photo: QT) |
Deputy Minister, could you please explain the significance of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's participation in the ASEAN-Russia 35th Anniversary Summit, and what goals and priorities does it reflect for Vietnam in its relations with ASEAN and Russia?
At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the ASEAN-Russia 35th Anniversary Summit taking place from June 17-18 in Kazan, Russia. This is a particularly significant trip, marking the Prime Minister's first visit to Russia in his new role, a country with which Vietnam shares a traditional, close friendship and a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Following Vietnam's proactive and responsible contributions at the 48th ASEAN Summit and the successful hosting of the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF 2026), Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's participation in this ASEAN-Russia Summit continues to demonstrate Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, resilience, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development; multilateralizing and diversifying foreign relations as per the spirit of the 14th Party Congress. This also sends a clear message of Vietnam's regard for the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership, as well as the traditional friendship, strategic trust, and effective cooperation between Vietnam and Russia over the decades.
The overarching goal of the trip is to leverage Vietnam's role as a "bridge," fostering consensus and contributing practical directions to create new momentum for ASEAN-Russia relations. This is particularly meaningful as Vietnam has played a key role in building consensus within ASEAN for organizing this summit and will serve as the coordinating country for ASEAN-Russia relations from 2027 to 2030. In other words, this is not just about attending a summit but also an important step in preparing for Vietnam to contribute more deeply to shaping ASEAN-Russia cooperation in the coming years. In this spirit, Vietnam will focus on several major priorities:
Firstly, Vietnam will work with other countries to promote a substantive, balanced, and results-oriented approach in ASEAN-Russia cooperation. The focus is on unlocking potential areas that have not been fully exploited, such as trade, science, technology, digital transformation, non-traditional security, education, training, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and especially energy. Vietnam will also promote highly feasible initiatives that align with ASEAN's needs, Russia's strengths, and current demands.
Secondly, Vietnam aims to contribute to expanding cooperation space between ASEAN and the Eurasian region. As a leading ASEAN country in cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) through the signing of the Vietnam-EAEU FTA in 2015, Vietnam has practical experience to share in promoting trade, investment, logistics, supply chains, and business connectivity. This cooperation direction is meaningful, helping ASEAN-Russia relations extend beyond political exchanges to create tangible benefits for businesses, localities, and people on both sides.
Thirdly, Vietnam will join other countries in discussing regional and international situations, especially issues directly impacting peace, stability, energy security, supply chains, and development. With a spirit of dialogue, constructiveness, and respect for international law, Vietnam aims to contribute to enhancing understanding, narrowing differences, and strengthening trust between ASEAN and Russia, as well as among regional partners.
On the occasion of attending the Summit, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and work with the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan. The meeting will be an important opportunity to convey the new government's message on continuing to value and promote Vietnam-Russia relations; and to discuss major breakthrough directions, key cooperation areas, and measures to resolve obstacles for effectively implementing high-level agreements, including important outcomes from General Secretary and President To Lam's visit to Russia in May 2025 and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Russia in March 2026.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang answers press questions. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Deputy Minister, what key issues will the ASEAN-Russia 35th Anniversary Summit discuss, and what is the significance and stature of this special event for ASEAN-Russia relations?
The ASEAN-Russia 35th Anniversary Summit takes place against the backdrop of unprecedented global and regional upheavals since the Cold War, as reflected in the "three foundational crises: crisis of international order, crisis of development models, and crisis of strategic trust" as noted by General Secretary and President To Lam in his speech at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue.
The ASEAN-Russia dialogue partnership was established in 1991 and upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2018. Organized nearly five years after the online ASEAN-Russia Summit in October 2021, this Summit holds special significance, transcending a typical commemorative event and bearing historical stature. The Summit demonstrates the highest level of political commitment from both sides to the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership, highlighting Russia's regard for ASEAN's central role in the Asia-Pacific cooperation structure, as well as ASEAN's regard for Russia's role and position in the region and the world. Additionally, the Summit symbolizes that dialogue and cooperation are the most effective means to contribute to creating a peaceful, secure, and stable environment for development.
Based on this, the ASEAN-Russia 35th Anniversary Summit will focus on three major priorities:
Firstly, through a comprehensive review of the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership, evaluating achievements, identifying cooperation limitations and barriers, and proposing new directions, key areas, and breakthrough measures to enhance substantive, mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, particularly energy security, as well as exploiting opportunities to strengthen integration and create new development spaces between the Eurasian regions.
Secondly, ASEAN and Russian leaders will engage in extensive discussions on regional and international issues of mutual concern to enhance understanding, strengthen strategic trust, and jointly address common challenges based on international law.
Thirdly, the Summit is expected to adopt pivotal documents guiding ASEAN-Russia cooperation in the coming period, better meeting the development needs of both ASEAN and Russia in the new context.
I am confident that with its special significance, a rich agenda, and Vietnam's thorough preparation, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's trip to attend the ASEAN-Russia 35th Anniversary Summit will be a great success, continuing to affirm the image of a proactive, responsible Vietnam, a reliable bridge within ASEAN, and a loyal, sincere partner of Russia.
