Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đặng Hoàng Giang, Head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) of Việt Nam, in an interview with the press. VNA/VNS Photo

Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit marking the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations in Kazan, Russia, from June 16 to 18. Ahead of the summit, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đặng Hoàng Giang, Head of Việt Nam's ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation, spoke to the press about the significance of the visit and Việt Nam's priorities in ASEAN-Russia cooperation.

What is the significance of the Prime Minister's attendance at the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit and what objectives and priorities does it reflect in Việt Nam's relations with ASEAN and the Russian Federation?

This is a particularly meaningful working trip. It will be Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng's first visit to Russia in his new capacity and comes at a time when the two countries continue to enjoy a longstanding friendship and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Following Việt Nam's proactive and responsible contributions at the 48th ASEAN Summit and its successful hosting of the third ASEAN Future Forum (AFF 2026), the Prime Minister's participation in the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit once again demonstrates Việt Nam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, as well as the diversification and multilateralisation of external relations in line with the spirit of the 14th National Party Congress.

It also sends a clear message about Việt Nam's high regard for the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership and for the traditional friendship, strategic trust and effective cooperation that have characterised Việt Nam-Russia relations over many decades.

The overarching objective of the trip is for Việt Nam to leverage its role as a bridge-builder, promote consensus and contribute practical orientations that can generate fresh momentum for ASEAN-Russia relations. This is particularly meaningful given Việt Nam's key role in building ASEAN consensus on convening this summit and its upcoming role as ASEAN's country coordinator for relations with Russia for the 2027-30 period.

In other words, this is not merely participation in a commemorative summit but also an important step in preparing Việt Nam to contribute more deeply to shaping ASEAN-Russia cooperation in the years ahead.

In this spirit, Việt Nam will focus on several major priorities.

First, Việt Nam will work with other ASEAN members to promote a practical, balanced and results-oriented approach to ASEAN-Russia cooperation. Priority areas include unlocking untapped potential in trade, science and technology, digital transformation, non-traditional security, education and training, tourism, people-to-people exchanges and, in particular, energy cooperation.

Việt Nam will also advocate highly feasible initiatives that align with ASEAN's needs, Russia's strengths and the demands of the current international context.

Second, Việt Nam hopes to contribute to expanding cooperation between ASEAN and the broader Eurasian region. As the first ASEAN country to conclude a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union in 2015, Việt Nam possesses practical experience that can be shared in promoting trade, investment, logistics, supply chains and business connectivity.

This cooperation direction carries practical significance because it would allow ASEAN-Russia relations to move beyond political dialogue and deliver tangible benefits to businesses, localities and people on both sides.

Third, Việt Nam will join other countries in discussing regional and international developments, particularly issues directly affecting peace, stability, energy security, supply chains and development.

With a spirit of dialogue, constructive engagement and respect for international law, Việt Nam hopes to contribute to enhancing understanding, narrowing differences and strengthening trust between ASEAN and Russia, as well as among regional partners.

Also on this occasion, PM Lê Minh Hưng is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and hold talks with the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan.

The meetings will provide an important opportunity to convey the new Government's message of continuing to attach importance to and promote Việt Nam-Russia relations, while discussing breakthrough directions, cooperation priorities and measures to remove obstacles to effectively implement high-level agreements.

These include important outcomes from Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm's visit to Russia in May 2025 and former Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính's visit to Russia in March 2026.

What key issues will be discussed at the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit and what is the significance and scale of this special event for ASEAN-Russia relations?

The ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit is taking place against a backdrop of unprecedented changes in the world and the region since the end of the Cold War, reflected in what Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm recently described at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue as ‘three fundamental crises: a crisis of the international order, a crisis of development models and a crisis of strategic trust’.

ASEAN and Russia established their dialogue partnership in 1991 and elevated ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2018.

Held nearly five years after the virtual ASEAN-Russia Summit in October 2021, this commemorative summit carries significance that goes far beyond a routine anniversary event and has historical dimensions.

It demonstrates the highest-level political commitment of both sides to the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership, reflecting Russia's recognition of ASEAN's centrality in the Asia-Pacific regional architecture and ASEAN's appreciation of Russia's role and standing in the region and the world.

The summit also symbolises the enduring truth that dialogue and cooperation remain the most effective means of fostering a peaceful, secure and stable environment for development.

Against this backdrop, the summit will focus on three major priorities.

First, leaders will conduct a comprehensive review of the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership, assessing achievements, identifying limitations and barriers, and proposing new directions, priority areas and breakthrough measures to deepen practical and mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors, particularly energy security.

They will also explore opportunities to strengthen connectivity and integration and create new development space between ASEAN and the Eurasian region.

Second, ASEAN and Russian leaders will hold in-depth discussions on regional and international issues of common concern to enhance mutual understanding, strengthen strategic trust and jointly address shared challenges based on international law.

Third, the summit is expected to adopt landmark documents that will guide ASEAN-Russia cooperation in the coming period and better meet the development needs of both ASEAN and Russia in the new context.

I am confident that, given its special significance, substantive agenda and Việt Nam's careful preparations, PM Lê Minh Hưng's participation in the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit will be a success, further affirming the image of a proactive and responsible Việt Nam, a trusted bridge-builder within ASEAN and a sincere and steadfast partner of the Russian Federation. — VNS