 "Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha walk together after Putin’s arrival at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam. AP File")
After announcing plans to restart its nuclear power programme in November following an eight-year gap, Vietnam has now inked a non-binding agreement with Russia on nuclear energy and cooperation in maritime research and technology.
According to a Bloomberg report, citing TASS, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Russia’s nuclear energy company Rosatom and Vietnam’s state-owned power utility Vietnam Electricity Corporation, or EVN, during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to the the Southeast Asian country.
Vietnam restarted its nuclear power programme with an aim to diversify its energy supply, enhance energy security, and reduce emissions.
According to the report, citing Interfax, the two countries also reached a joint agreement on a comprehensive cooperation plan through 2030 and the transfer of a research vessel for joint marine exercises. These documents were signed following discussions between Mishustin and Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi, added the report.
Mishustin’s two-day visit to the country comes just over six months after President Vladimir Putin’s trip to Hanoi, during which he said that Russia could assist in developing liquefied natural gas capacity in Vietnam and supply LNG to the country.
The two countries committed to expanding investment in energy and enhancing defence and security cooperation. Although Russia is not a major trading partner, bilateral trade grew by 26% last year, reaching approximately $4.6 billion, reported Bloomberg.
Vietnam has leveraged support from Russian firms to explore and drill for oil and gas in the resource-rich South China Sea. Last year, Russian state-owned oil company Zarubezhneft received a licence for exploration rights in the Nam Con Son Basin. Vietnam is also collaborating with Russia’s state-owned Rosatom to construct a 10MW microreactor for medical and industrial applications at a planned nuclear science and technology research center in Dong Nai province, reported Bloomberg, citing Vietnam’s government.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThis year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Russia, with the two countries upgrading their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012, the highest level of cooperation. Vietnam has established the same level of partnership with eight other countries, including the US, China, and India.
The Russian premier’s visit to Vietnam reflects “the will and determination of the two countries’ top leaders” to further enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership, according to a statement from the Vietnamese government, citing Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Russia. In 2012, the two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnam’s highest level of cooperation. Alongside Russia, Vietnam maintains this level of partnership with eight other nations, including the US, China, and India.
The Russian premier’s visit to Vietnam demonstrates “the will and determination of the two countries’ top leaders” to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership, Bloomberg quoted a posting on the Vietnamese government’s website, citing the country’s ambassador to Russia, Dang Minh Khoi.
Vietnam, one of nine Southeast Asian countries that abstained from condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine, has adopted a neutral stance on the conflict, advocating for diplomatic solutions.
Putin, in an article posted on Vietnam’s state-owned newspaper, thanked Vietnam for its “balanced position” toward Ukraine and for promoting “a pragmatic path to solve the crisis through peaceful means.”
With inputs from agencies