According to VNA, at the meeting, General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam consistently identify Russia as an important and reliable partner, a top priority in Vietnam's foreign policy and development strategy. This was once again affirmed by the XIV Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam recently.
In the new development stage, the two countries need to proactively create new fields with potential, suitable to the strengths and needs of each side, in which maritime cooperation is a promising direction of cooperation.
Highly appreciating the fact that the two sides have gradually formed a deep cooperation mechanism in the maritime field, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that Vietnam is a maritime nation, with a long coastline and important geostrategic position; the sea has special significance for the cause of building, developing and protecting the country. Vietnam sets a goal to develop a strong and sustainable marine economy, linking economic development with environmental protection, ensuring national defense and security and improving people's lives.
Welcoming the two sides' determination of cooperation orientations in the maritime field for the period 2026-2030, General Secretary and President To Lam requested relevant agencies of the two countries to urgently concretize them into highly feasible programs and projects, avoiding agreements stopping at orientations and policies.
General Secretary and President To Lam said that maritime and transportation are fields of direct significance for the goal of increasing trade and economic connectivity between Vietnam and Russia; proposed that the two sides study and develop effective sea transport routes, strengthen connectivity between seaports, transport and logistics enterprises of the two countries, thereby reducing costs and creating favorable conditions for goods circulation.
Assessing that Russia has a lot of experience, scientific and technological capacity and industrial facilities in the field of shipbuilding industry, General Secretary and President To Lam proposed that the two sides study the possibility of cooperation in building new ships, repairing, maintaining ships and transferring technology, in accordance with the needs and conditions of Vietnam.
The two sides highly appreciated the tradition of cooperation between Vietnamese and Russian scientists, including positive results within the framework of the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center. General Secretary and President To Lam proposed to continue to improve the operational efficiency of the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center; and at the same time expand research cooperation to marine science, oceanography, biodiversity, marine environmental protection, climate change response, new materials and technologies serving sustainable marine economic development.
Mr. Nikolai Patrushev highly appreciated Vietnam's vision and direction of marine economic development; wished the two sides to continue to closely coordinate and effectively implement the plans and memorandums of understanding on cooperation that the two sides have achieved, especially to further promote the role of the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center.
The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation to ensure maritime security and safety, prevent and combat crimes and non-traditional security risks at sea; agreed to strengthen experience sharing, professional exchange and coordination between functional agencies on the basis of conformity with the laws of each country and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; requested Russia to continue to have a voice and make positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.
