Moscow (VNA) – Russian experts and scholars have expressed their confidence that the visit to Russia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam for an official visit and attendance at the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War will usher in a new chapter in bilateral relations, with 20 agreements signed.
Professor Vladimir Kolotov, head of the Department of History of the Far East Countries and Director of the Ho Chi Minh Institute at Saint Petersburg University, noted that the trip highlighted Vietnam's consistent policy of independence and sovereignty - the result of decades of struggle for independence, freedom, and self-determination.
The top Vietnamese leader's attendance at the Russia’s celebration was an independent decision, unaffected by any attempts to rewrite the history, he said. As a researcher of the Vietnamese history, particularly war history, Professor Kolotov observed that "Vietnam has been always the victor" thanks to this policy.
Among the inked documents during Party chief Lam’s visit, he particularly highlighted the agreement to revive the nuclear power project in Vietnam, viewing this as the beginning of the country’s new era. He said the modern and high-tech economy that Vietnam is aspiring for could not exist without energy, adding securing an independent energy source will provide a strong foundation for national development.
Meanwhile, Elena Nikulina, a researcher at the Centre for Vietnam and ASEAN Studies and journalist for Rossiya Segodnya news agency, recalled that both nations share a special decades-long relationship, with the Russian people having affection for Vietnam and keeping close tabs on the country’s strong development as an Asian country advancing into the ranks of the world’s fastest-growing nations.
Party General Secretary To Lam's recent visit to Russia held significance, she said, mentioning that the image of his spouse placing her hand over her heart while watching the military parade was deeply touching.
The achievement of several important agreements, especially Russia's potential construction of Southeast Asia's first nuclear power plant in Vietnam, has received enthusiastic interest and support from Russian citizens, she stated.
Nikulina said that academic researchers anticipate cooperation projects in scientific fields, while cultural activists look forward to cultural exchanges.
Professor. Dr Vladimir Buianov, President of the Russia – Vietnam Friendship Association pointed out that Party General Secretary Lam’s packed schedule covered all cooperation areas between the two countries, creating new and powerful momentum for developing the Vietnam – Russia relations./.