The Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association on Mar. 4 held a workshop in Moscow to mark the 10 th anniversary of the signing Joint Declaration on the strategic partnership between the two countries (Mar. 1).

The association’s President Vladimir Buiyanov and representatives from the Foreign Ministry, the Economic Development Ministry, the Industry and Trade Ministry, the Moscow External Economy Department, the Gazprom bank and the Zarubezhneft oil and gas group attended the event.

Vietnamese Ambassador Bui Dinh Dinh and representatives from the Vietnam-Russia Bank and several companies owned by overseas Vietnamese were also present.

Reports delivered at the workshop highlighted the important significance of the signing of the Joint Declaration on the strategic partnership between the two countries, describing it as the most important document, making a legal foundation for the development of relations between Russia and Vietnam in the 21 st century.

They affirmed that over the past 10 years, the Russia-Vietnam ties stepped into a new period with changes in quality and development both in width and depth with important achievements.

Political relations developed well and cooperation in trade and economy, science and technology, education and training and national security gained many achievements.

Two-way trade turnover increased from 300-400 million USD per year in mid-1990s to 1.9 billion USD in 2010. Especially, cooperation in oil and gas and energy has seen progress.

The reports also praised great achievements the Vietnamese people obtained over the past years as well as Vietnam ’s success in organising the 11 th National Party Congress.

While affirming the great significance of the joint declaration and the development of the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, Ambassador Dinh expressed thanks for Russian leaders and people for their support to Vietnam in the past struggle for national liberation and the current national construction and development./.