Vietnam has been actively participating in multilateral initiatives to strengthen regional and inter-regional linkages, eventually contributing to economic recovery and sustainable growth in Asia-Pacific.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in a video address. Photo: VGP

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the view in a recorded video address at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) held in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 7.

The forum drew the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Li Zhanshu, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, and a video address of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

In his speech, Prime Minister Chinh stressed the significance of the EEF in promoting international cooperation for peace, cooperation, and development in Asia-Pacific and the world over.

As the global economy is facing multiple challenges, Chinh said Vietnam aims to build an independent economy with active global integration.

“In addition to effectively containing the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has successfully stabilized macroeconomy, contained inflation, and maintained high growth,” Chinh said, adding socio-political stability has been instrumental to economic cooperation, investment, and tourism recovery.

On Vietnam-Russia economic partnership, Chinh said Vietnam gives priority to the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, highlighting the strong progress in economic cooperation between the two countries over the years, especially in the energy and industry sectors.

Chinh called for both sides to bolster cooperation in priority fields, and upgrade the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement (which comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan).

The prime minister added Vietnam welcomes the linkage between Russia, especially in the Far East, with countries in the Asia-Pacific, and facilitates the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership.

“Vietnam is willing to serve as the bridge to promote ASEAN-Russia cooperation, including the establishment of ASEAN-EAEU Free Trade Agreement,” Chinh continued.

The Eastern Economic Forum is an annual international platform established by decree of the Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015 to support the economic development of Russia’s Far East and expand international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

This year, the platform attracted the participation of 4,000 delegates, including policymakers, business leaders, and scholars from Russia and countries in the region.