DAV Ambassadors Forum 2019: Russian Ambassador Visits and Talks with DAV Staff and Students

On the morning of March 20th, 2019, at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), a talk by Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin V. Vnukov on "Eastern Direction of Russia's Foreign Policy: Vietnam’s Role and Position” took place within the framework of the Ambassadors Forum 2019 organized by the DAV.

The talk was chaired by DAV President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Tung with the presence of Mr. Valentin Laptev, Third Secretary of the Russian Embassy to Vietnam, Prof. Dr. Vu Duong Huan (former Vietnamese Ambassador to Ukraine, former Consul General of Vietnam to Vladivostok - Russia), Dr. Nguyen Tuan Viet (Dean of the Faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy), lecturers and students from the faculty of International Politics and Diplomacy. 

In his opening remark, Ambassador Konstantin V. Vnukov affirmed that Russia is a Eurasian power which harmoniously combines both Western and Eastern characteristics. Russia’s national emblem comes from Konstaninopol, representing a two-headed eagle that directs its gaze to both sides of the Earth. The importance of the Eastern direction in Russian foreign policy has been argued by the founder of Russian education and science Mikhail V. Lomonosov since the 18th century.

Ambassador Vnukov stated that Russia’s power would be multiplied by the Siberian region and the Northern Ocean. Russia’s relations with the peoples of the East were established many centuries ago. For example, Russia set up its first consulate general in Saigon, Vietnam in 1906. This proved that Russia's Eastern policy has been implemented for a long time, not until the US "pivot to Asia” policy that Russia adjusted its policy because of the changes of geopolitical situation.

At the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, the Asia-Pacific developed rapidly, and Russia saw great potentials in participating in different forms of association, including ASEAN, APEC, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Union. The 2016 foreign policy doctrine recognized Russia's priority for the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam, a comprehensive strategic partner, and a long-standing and enduring friend of Russia.

In the world history, it is difficult to find two peoples who are different in languages, cultures and customs but are spiritually close. The bilateral relations have developed comprehensively in all fields including  politics - diplomacy, economics - commerce, military, education, culture, and tourism. In particular, the coordination in the military and technical-military fields is a high indicator of trust.

The years 2019 - 2020 were the first "cross" years in the history of the bilateral relations: the Vietnamese year in Russia and the Russian year in Vietnam. Within that framework, more than 150 joint activities were expected to be held in all fields of cooperation. The Ambassador believed that further development of relations between the two countries is significant in maintaining security and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

After the speech, Ambassador Vnukov received many questions from students and staff on Russia's Eastern Direction, Russia-US relations, as well as Vietnam's role in connecting Russia and ASEAN. The talk has brought a lot of inspirations and new approaches to DAV students and staff.