Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính at Kazan International Airport, concluding his trip to Russia to attend the expanded BRICS Summit. — VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn has highlighted the success of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s trip to Russia from October 23-24 to attend the expanded BRICS Summit in Kazan.

The PM’s attendance at the summit was made at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chair of the BRICS Group in 2024.

The event brought together over 40 leaders and representatives from BRICS member countries and guests, including those from developing countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

This is an important activity aimed at effectively implementing Việt Nam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism, diversification of international relations, and being friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community, Sơn said, noting the country’s efforts in advancing multilateral diplomacy.

Việt Nam's responsibility toward global efforts

According to the official, the trip demonstrated Việt Nam's responsibility toward global efforts. Along with actively participating in and making significant contributions to ASEAN, the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and other multilateral mechanisms, Việt Nam, through the summit, clearly showed its proactive, responsible spirit toward the international community.

At the talks between Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the expanded BRICS Summit in Kazan.

At the event, the PM emphasised a people-centred, global, and comprehensive approach, and the fundamental principles of international relations, as well as multilateralism and international solidarity to promote peace and stability, overcome challenges, and turn opportunities and potential into new development drivers.

The trip also emphasised the spirit of cooperation, he said, explaining that with a deep understanding of the new era – the one of intensive and extensive connectivity and integration, smart technology, and innovation – as well as of the unprecedented challenges facing humanity, the PM called on BRICS to promote a "year of strategic connectivity" in terms of resources, strategic infrastructure, both hard and soft, global supply chains, people-to-people connections, along with connectivity in the reform of global governance mechanisms.

Việt Nam is ready to collaborate with BRICS and the international community to achieve the noble goal of building a better world, the leader said.

Sơn said the trip affirmed Việt Nam's position on the international stage, noting in his speech at the summit, the PM delivered strong messages about a resilient, self-reliant, confident, and independent Việt Nam, proud of its national identity and on the path to dynamic socio-economic development.

The PM also affirmed Việt Nam's position and strategic mindset in addressing global issues.

Sơn said the leader’s viewpoints, approaches, and proposals were welcomed and appreciated by leaders and delegates from other countries, making a practical contribution to the overall success of the summit.

Important outcomes of PM Phạm Minh Chính’s activities

During his trip, PM Chính had nearly 30 bilateral meetings with leaders of Russia and other BRICS member countries and guests attending the meeting to continue promote relations with other nations and international organisations in a more intensive, pactical and efffective manner, Sơn said.

With Russia, PM Chính held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, received Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and many Russian ministers and large corporations. Leaders of the two sides exchanged many contents of extensive and substantive cooperation to continue to deepen the Việt Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aiming to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

According to the official, the two countries' high-ranking leaders reaffirmed the long-standing, traditional, friendly relationship that has been diligently nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries, which is an important foundation for the bilateral relations. The Comprehensive strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Russia continues to develop strongly, becoming increasingly deeper and more sustainable for the benefit of the two countries’ people and contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

At the plenary session of the expanded BRICS Summit in Kazan.

The two sides discussed extensively the development orientation of the bilateral relations in various fields. Regarding politics and diplomacy, the two sides will continue to promote political trust through increasing meetings and exchange of delegations at all levels, especially at high levels. Regarding economy and trade, the two sides approved the Việt Nam - Russia Cooperation Plan until 2030, agreed to improve the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and jointly exploit the Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Việt Nam effectively to create more favourable conditions for bilateral trade; continue to effectively implement important projects; and promote investment cooperation, especially in infrastructure and energy.

In addition to traditional areas of cooperation, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of science - technology and innovation, green transition, digital transformation, education - training, culture and tourism.

The two sides affirmed to continue to coordinate closely and support each other at international and regional forums; support a fair international relations system, based on international law and the United Nations Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

At the meetings with countries and international organisations, leaders of the nations highly evaluated Việt Nam's development achievements and increasing position in the international arena; affirmed their importance and desire to further strengthen all-round relations with Việt Nam.

PM Chính and leaders of the countries agreed to prioritise increasing delegation exchanges at all levels, enhancing economic, trade and investment cooperation; and affirmed their determination to jointly expand cooperation in the fields of defence - security, education - training, labour, science - technology, culture, people-to-people exchanges and new fields of cooperation, such as digital transformation, green transition, circular economy, and knowledge-based economy.

In the coming time, Vietnamese ministries, branches and localities will actively coordinate with international partners to review and speed up the implementation of agreements and commitments; implement measures to remove bottlenecks in cooperation; study and propose new areas and measures of cooperation suitable to the needs and interests of the sides and make practical contributions to the implementation of the country's development goals in the new period.

It can be said that in just 30 hours with more than 25 continuous activities, PM Chính's working trip to attend the expanded BRICS Summit in Russia was a great success in both multilateral and bilateral aspects. The outcomes of PM Chính’s attendance at the summit, the talks with Russian President Putin and bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries on this occasion once again affirmed the soundness of the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress, helping to continue consolidating a favourable complexion of foreign affairs, enhance the country's position, and mobilising maximum international resources to serve development, Sơn stressed. — VNS