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Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»
Author : Bui Dinh Dinh
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
In the past, relations between Vietnam and the Soviet Union
were very good. At that time, Vietnam mainly had relations
only with socialist countries, the most important of them
being the Soviet Union. Relations between our countries at
that time covered a broad range -TRADE , cultural, and edu-
cational.
Now things have changed somewhat. Relations have not been
fully established in all spheres. But ten years ago, on March 1,
2001, the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the
Russian Federation and Socialist Republic of Vietnam signed
during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Vietnam
gave a strong boost to the development of our relations.
Our largestTRADE turnover at present is with China. Our export volumes are small,
while import is high. This is not good for us. WeTRADE with the U.S., Japan, South
Korea, and Singapore. Singapore is a small country and acts as an intermediary - Viet-
namese goods go through Singapore to Africa and other countries.
Over the span of three years,TRADE turnover with Russia doubled from $1 billion in
2007 to 2 billion in 2010. At the same time, Russia calculates it at $2 billion 400 million.
Russia must fortify its position not only in Europe, but also in other regions, for example,
in Southeast Asia. It is very important for Russia to develop cooperation with the ASEAN
countries. It is a large organization covering an enormous area and with a vast population.
Russia has the opportunity to expand sales of its commodities in the ASEAN countries.
Vietnam has received a large amount of assistance from the Soviet Union and Russia. Now
we also want to do something for Russia. Vietnam is always ready to help and assist Russia's
cooperation with ASEAN.
Around 502,000 Vietnamese have graduated from higher education institutions in the So-
viet Union and then in Russia. Now they form the backbone of the administrative, man-
agement, and scientific spheres of our economy. The people who obtained an education
in the Soviet Union and Russia were the ones who built Vietnam and have been very suc-
cessful.
I do not want to leave Russia because I consider this country my second home. It is very
hard to say goodbye and I am sad. But life goes on...
"It Is Very Hard to Say Goodbye..."