The joint Vietnamese-Russian Tropical Centre’s Scientific Council held a seminar in Moscow on Mar. 14 to mark the 25 th anniversary of the centre’s founding, (Mar. 7).

Speaking at the event, Vietnam ’s Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Viet Thanh, stated that the Vietnamese Government highly values the centre’s accomplishments over the past 25 years and considers it a symbol of the traditional friendship and cooperation between the scientific communities of both countries.

Since its inception, the centre has set up a number of facilities, conducted a vast amount of scientific research, helped Vietnam to train many top quality specialists and enhanced relations with many Vietnamese ministries and research establishments.

During the seminar, the Vietnamese and Russian Directors at the centre Trinh Quoc Khanh and A. Kuznetsov, along with a representative from the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences reviewed the centre’s history as well as its achievements when jointly conducting research.

Worthy of note is the previous research into infectious diseases and the prolonged effects of the toxic chemicals used by the US during the war.

Several new projects for the centre to improve its capacity to carry out research, suitable with the requirements of the strategic partnership, were also discussed as well as the mutual need for more research on heath care in this area.

According to a newly-signed agreement, the centre will remain in operation until 2017 and this term will likely be extended.-VNA